In our final installment in this series, we will recount just a couple more of the Tuscan dishes that you should keep an eye out for if you are visiting the area over the Christmas or winter period this year.
We have discussed plenty of sweet treats and savory delights but there is one delicacy that is king in Tuscany and is imported out of the region to every corner of the globe: truffles.
San Miniato in Tuscany is, in fact, one of the most productive truffle-rich areas of Europe and the white truffle that grows in the San Miniato hills is the most valuable variety.
The truffle has greatly impacted local cuisine and is so important to local identity that the town hosts an annual market, the San Miniato National White Truffle Market, during the last three weeks of November, which is internationally celebrated and recognised.
We have discussed plenty of sweet treats and savory delights but there is one delicacy that is king in Tuscany and is imported out of the region to every corner of the globe: truffles.
San Miniato in Tuscany is, in fact, one of the most productive truffle-rich areas of Europe and the white truffle that grows in the San Miniato hills is the most valuable variety.
The truffle has greatly impacted local cuisine and is so important to local identity that the town hosts an annual market, the San Miniato National White Truffle Market, during the last three weeks of November, which is internationally celebrated and recognised.
After that, however, you will still find the product used in all sorts of dishes in restaurants across Tuscany. If you're serious about your food, and your truffles in particular, this is the only place to be this season.
Just find luxury villa in San Miniato and head down to the market to let your palate rejoice!
Another Sienese dessert worth mentioning are Ricciarelli. These are very refined biscuits that are crisp and delicate and in the shape of a lozenge. Marzipan-based, their ingredients include orange peel, candied citron, spices and almond.
They are traditionally served with a medium-dry sparkling wine or with an almond based liqueur.
Just find luxury villa in San Miniato and head down to the market to let your palate rejoice!
Another Sienese dessert worth mentioning are Ricciarelli. These are very refined biscuits that are crisp and delicate and in the shape of a lozenge. Marzipan-based, their ingredients include orange peel, candied citron, spices and almond.
They are traditionally served with a medium-dry sparkling wine or with an almond based liqueur.
Panpepato, meanwhile is a typical Sienese cake that is served around Christmas and which has ancient origins. It is more rustic than the more familiar Panforte, with lots of spices, giving it a strong flavour. It is probably also the oldest variation of these types of cakes and is thought to have been created at the Monastery of Corpus Domini during the 15th century.
Chocolate as a layer over the whole cake was introduced in the late 19th century and differentiates it from the Christmas cakes of Emilia and Romagna. It also has the added bonus of helping to keep the cake moist through the entire holiday season.
Find a luxury villa in Siena and try a slice in the city for a taste of Christmas in Tuscany.
Chocolate as a layer over the whole cake was introduced in the late 19th century and differentiates it from the Christmas cakes of Emilia and Romagna. It also has the added bonus of helping to keep the cake moist through the entire holiday season.
Find a luxury villa in Siena and try a slice in the city for a taste of Christmas in Tuscany.
Photo credits
picture 3: Marco Varisco / CC BY-SA 2.0
picture 3: Marco Varisco / CC BY-SA 2.0