Experience the fantastic flavours of Tuscan ‘Slow Food’! These are traditional products that have been successfully passed down from generation to generation. They were vigorously promoted in a battle against the growing fast food movement in Italy in the late eighties.
There's a lovely selection of villa rentals in Pistoia, Carmignano and San Miniato to choose from, where the following products originate.
Visitors will have a wonderful time tasting all this delicious food; it could be an excellent addition to a gastronomic tour of the region!
There's a lovely selection of villa rentals in Pistoia, Carmignano and San Miniato to choose from, where the following products originate.
Visitors will have a wonderful time tasting all this delicious food; it could be an excellent addition to a gastronomic tour of the region!
If you're holidaying in the Pistoia region of Tuscany you should try a local dish made using the delicious Sorana Bean which is called ‘Fagiolo di Sorana’. It is a type of cannellini bean but smaller and with a thicker skin.
It has a squashed flat appearance and is packed with flavour! It’s grown in a valley in Pistoia in an area only covering a few hectares beside the Pescia River.
To this day the beans are hand picked and left to dry out in the sun for a few days. They're often preserved in jars through the winter months with some peppercorns, valerian root or bay leaves and are delicious in pastas or wholesome stews.
It has a squashed flat appearance and is packed with flavour! It’s grown in a valley in Pistoia in an area only covering a few hectares beside the Pescia River.
To this day the beans are hand picked and left to dry out in the sun for a few days. They're often preserved in jars through the winter months with some peppercorns, valerian root or bay leaves and are delicious in pastas or wholesome stews.
The charming town of Carmignano in the province of Prato is the proud home of the sweet ‘Fico secco di Carmignano’ which are dried figs. They can be found on many dessert menus here and sometimes are enjoyed with another Tuscan slow food product called Mortadella di Prato which is a delicious salami.
When picked, the figs are split in half and left to dry out in the sun on cane mats as they are steamed with sulphur fumes to help retain their juiciness. They are then brought inside to ferment in a cool dry place for a month. During this time a sugar coating called ‘gruma’ appears on the figs. This is a delicious snack to enjoy in the evenings with a lovely glass of Vin Santo!
While you’re in Prato province you’re sure to come across Mortadella di Prato which is a tasty salami made from leftover cured meats and cheap cuts of pork. It’s beautifully flavoured with spices and a dash of liqueur to bind the meat together before boiling for several hours.
It has a dull pink colour, a spicy aroma and a strong taste; an enjoyable meal often served with local cheeses, fresh bread and Carmignano figs. These are some of the famous slow food products of Tuscany so read through our related articles, which might inspire a fascinating food trail theme during your holiday here!
When picked, the figs are split in half and left to dry out in the sun on cane mats as they are steamed with sulphur fumes to help retain their juiciness. They are then brought inside to ferment in a cool dry place for a month. During this time a sugar coating called ‘gruma’ appears on the figs. This is a delicious snack to enjoy in the evenings with a lovely glass of Vin Santo!
While you’re in Prato province you’re sure to come across Mortadella di Prato which is a tasty salami made from leftover cured meats and cheap cuts of pork. It’s beautifully flavoured with spices and a dash of liqueur to bind the meat together before boiling for several hours.
It has a dull pink colour, a spicy aroma and a strong taste; an enjoyable meal often served with local cheeses, fresh bread and Carmignano figs. These are some of the famous slow food products of Tuscany so read through our related articles, which might inspire a fascinating food trail theme during your holiday here!
Photo credits
picture 1: Massimilianogalardi / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Heather Kennedy / CC BY-2.0;
picture 1: Massimilianogalardi / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Heather Kennedy / CC BY-2.0;
