[ CUISINE ADAGIO ] farewell Umbria hello Toscana

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3rd August
[ CUISINE ADAGIO ] Farewell Umbria Hello Toscana

Yesterday marked the end of our stay at Villa Ginezzo in Umbria.
It has been wonderful getting to know the small and ancient Umbrian towns.
My favourite by far is Cortona [ la nonna di Roma ] and 4000 years later, it perfectly accommodates the modern traders. 
One restaurant Dardano, which overflowed with Italians at Sunday lunch, was begging us to come in.
What a wonderful meal, from pasta with sugo di Wild Boar, to local meat [ lamb, pork and poussin ] on the grill accompanied by that unique vegetable, local Ciccoria. 
This is found only in Italy and with a combination taste of bitter and delicate, is incomparable to any veg  I have eaten at home. Just add salt and EVOO. 

Lat weekend, we celebrated with a big lunch at the villa prepared by Lori and yours truly.
Guests included expat Brits, Australians and  New Zealanders.
Here is what Jill, a British expat, living here for 30 years, had to say about the meal :

"What a wonderful lunch we spent in the hills above Mercatale, great company and an interesting selection of  international mezze type goodies, Kofta meatballs, a spelt salad, a delicious zucchini frittata that disappeared very quickly, tabouleh (couscous) a caprese salad (tribute to Italy)  and for dessert, poached peaches, a tiramisu, and a wonderful plum sponge, just the right balance of sweet and sour! Memorable and we are looking forward to the next invite."

Accompanied by the local wines, which are incredibly inexpensive !!

Moved on to the region Greve, just 20 kms from Florence, so I will have lots to report in the coming weeks.

Buon Appetito !