Contents
1. A Summer Recipe: Pasta
Basilico Ericotta
2. Fall Festivals throughout
Tuscany
A Favorite Late Summer Recipe
Summer is drawing to a close; it's the perfect
time to share a recipe that requires no cooking,
but makes a satisfying pasta dish that everyone
seems to love. This simple dish relies on the bounty
of August, and is easy to fix and enjoy while you
peruse our calendar of upcoming events in Tuscany.
Pasta Basilico e Ricotta
- 2 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, julienned
- 1/4 cup grated Pecorino
- 2 cups fresh ricotta, drained for an hour or
so
- 1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup best extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound Gemelli pasta, cooked al dente
While the past cooks, combine the garlic, basil,
grated cheese, drained ricotta and olive oil. Drain
the pasta, combine with the cheese mixture, and
sprinkle with the red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
Fall and Winter Festivals in Tuscany
Please be aware that dates can change from year
to year, and it is best to check with the local
tourist boards if you plan to attend.
SEPTEMBER
September 6 and 7
Florence, the Festa Della Rificolona
This festival is held on September 7, the eve of
the celebration of the birth of the Blessed Mother.
Centuries ago, rural citizens regularly poured into
the city to celebrate the Nativity of the Virgin
in Piazza Santissima Annunziata. The tradition persisted,
and today the Festa is celebrated by gaily dressed
children carry lanterns tied to poles, called rificlone
, through the streets. A fair is held
in the Piazza on September 6 and 7, and a religious
procession takes place on the night of September
7.
The Second Weekend in September
Greve in Chianti, Rassegna del Chianti
Classico
Greve's annual wine festival, featuring food, folk
performances, and tastiness of the region's wines
from various producers.
September 8
Prato, Festa degli Omaggi
Four times a year, Prato celebrates its greatest
religious relic, a garment belonging to Mary, the
Mother of Christ. On September 8, festivities include
costumed celebrations surrounding the viewing of
the relic, a colorful medieval pageant, and a historical
sporting event in which ancient rivalries are exercised
in the playing of a traditional ball game. Participants
are costumed in medieval garb, and the entire center
of Prato celebrates the event.
September 13, and days preceding
Lucca, Settembre Lucchese
The 13th of September brings the night of Lucca's
most holy festa, the Procession of the Holy Cross.
The Volto Santo , a particularly
revered face of Christ, was once carried through
the streets on this night, before it was returned
to its home in the Cattedrale San Martino. The Volto
Santo is now deemed too valuable to leave the cathedral,
but the huge procession still takes place. We were
awed at the sight of Lucca's medieval streets lined
with luminaria in antique glass holders, lighting
the way for the lengthy procession that features
marchers from every corner of the province. Some
groups march in solemn silence, some pray as they
walk, and still others sing hymns. The Procession
of the Holy Cross is well worth the traveler's time.
A week of agricultural fairs, flea markets, and
special events precede the procession itself.
September 7
Arezzo, Giostra del Saraceni
This ancient festival centers around a jousting
tournament between participants from Arezzo's rival
quartieres. Hundreds of participants in full medieval
regalia, including knights in armor, fill Arezzo's
streets. Nearly all the residents of Arezzo participate,
either by playing a part in the tournament, or by
celebrating in the streets and piazzas of the town.
The main location of the Giostra is the Piazza San
Francisco, at the heart of the town.
OCTOBER
Second Saturday of October
Abbadia San Salvatore, Festival di Autunno
The annual Harvest Festival held at Abbadia San
Salvatore provides an excellent reason to visit
this ancient town whose medieval streets hide behind
modern outskirts. The historic center of Abbadia
is virtually untouched, and it is here that the
town holds its annual food festival. Dishes based
on mushrooms and chestnuts are featured, and there
are market stalls selling antiques and local products.
Authentic Tuscan dishes are the pinnacle of this
festival.
October 11 and 12
Balconevisi, near San Miniato, Medieval
Festival
The highlight of this festival is a competition
among ducks! Each of the town's quartiere sponsors
a team, and the ducks compete in a race, cheered
on by their local supporters. There are food stalls,
and a costumed pageant in which a different event
from the town's history is enacted each year. Balconevisi
celebrates the Feast of the Rosary on the second
Sunday of October, and a mass is held.
October 14 and 15
Bagnone, Sagra della Castagna
A festival celebrating the chestnut. We recently
sent a newsletter concentrating on the Marrons of
Tuscany. We hope the descriptions we included will
inspire a visit to one of the many Chestnut Festivals
held throughout October.
NOVEMBER
November 8 and 9
Montecarlo, near Lucca, New Wine Festival
A wine festival featuring abundant food stalls
and wine tastings from local producers. Montecarlo
is a well known delicious dry, white wine.
November 8 and 9
San Miniato, White Truffle Festival
This food festival usually stretches through the
last three weekends of November, but one can be
sure of a good showing of local vendors on the dates
above. Truffles are sold at prices that are lower
than usual, and there are also salumni, wines, cheeses,
fine olive oils, and prepared foods for sale. San
Miniato is a very attractive town, and we highly
recommend a visit.
|
