World Nutella Day 2013 - Nutella with Bananas

It's that time of year again!  Time to break out your big jar of tasty chocolate-hazelnut spread, a big spoon and smile, because it's WORLD NUTELLA DAY!

Unfortunately, this year WND finds me several thousand miles from home.  I'm currently in the US for awhile, staying with friends, so I do not have my own kitchen in order to prepare a delicious Nutella concoction.

:(

Boo.

However, I am not going to let that fact stop me from doing something for WND!

I don't know too many people who don't like Nutella.  That includes kids.  I was thinking of finger foods that toddlers can eat.  They should be able to enjoy WND too!  Why not with...bananas!

Little kids, big kids and adults alike will enjoy this easy snack.  Plus...FRUIT!  So it's sort of healthy, right?

First, peel a banana and cut into slices.

Then, spoon on some Nutella.  About 1/2 teaspoon or so on each.  I went a little overboard on some, but then again, you can never have too much Nutella!

Then...enjoy!  These little guys could be easily served at a party too.  Stick a toothpick in each & you've got a great party snack!  You could try topping them with a mini marshmallow too and then dust them with some graham cracker crumbs for a deconstructed sort of s'more.

Or, do what I did to a few of them and make mini banana-Nutella sandwich bites!

I hope you will try this or my recipe from last year (Nutella Cupcakes) today or sometime soon.  Nutella is a wonderful treat and worth celebrating.  

Look for me next year!  I should be home then & better prepared to dazzle you with another great Nutella recipe! 

Buon appitito!

In case you are curious about World Nutella Day, it is a day devoted to eating and enjoying the delicious chocolate-hazelnut spread from Italy:  Nutella.  It was created in 2007 and has been getting bigger and better each year.  Thanks to the brilliant idea of Sara Rosso, an American living in Milan, Italy, we can lift our spoons in celebration.  You can check out her blog here: Ms. Adventures in Italy.  She posts some amazing recipes and photos about her adventures!


Also check out the blog of her co-host of World Nutella Day, Michelle Fabio, an American living in Calabria, Italy.  Here's the link: Bleeding Espresso.  She has some great recipes too, as well as inspirational posts.

For more information on World Nutella Day, check out the official site: Nutella Day.  There is a listing of tons of recipes from WNDs past and present!

Shopping in Florence

Who doesn't like to go shopping?

Sales window at a shop in Florence

Well, actually, I don't really enjoy shopping all that much.  I'm a bit of a tight-wad when it comes to parting with my money.  But I do enjoy window shopping and seeing what's out there.  Florence doesn't fail to deliver as far as shopping is concerned.  The city is filled with all sorts of shops and markets selling everything from food to clothing to souvenirs and everything in between.

Ferragamo shoes on display

Are you a fan of high fashion?  If so, you'll want to visit Via Tornabuoni.  Ferragamo, Bulgari, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, and Prada are a few of the names you will see lining this famous street.  If you have a huge budget, this is for you.  If not, don't worry...window shopping is free!

For those of us who don't have that much money to burn, there are other shops around town where you can find clothing that won't break the bank.  Chain stores, such as the department store Coin on Via dei Calzaiuoli, are easily found around town.  Smaller, independent places can be much more fun to shop at, in my opinion, and are located all over town.

Markets are a lot of fun to visit and you can often find great bargains.  The Mercato Nuovo, located under the Loggia del Porcellino, is open every day (except for some holidays) from 9am until 8pm between the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November (and is open the rest of the year from 9am until 7:30pm).  The Mercato di San Lorenzo, located in the Piazza San Lorenzo, is open from 9am to 7pm.  Other markets pop up now and then around town, just keep your eyes open.

Mercato Nuovo at the Loggia del Porcellino

You can find just about anything you would want at a market.  Leather goods are one of the most popular items, due to the fact that the area is known for their exquisite leather goods.  Bags, purses, jackets, wallets, belts, leather covered journals...all can be found at markets or at the many leather shops around town.  (Note:  the majority of leather shops can be found in the area of Santa Croce.)

What are some other popular things to buy in Florence?  Here's a list of things that Florence is known for:

• Florentine paper - these are very ornate, gorgeous papers.  There are stationary shops around town, especially near the Duomo.
• Pinocchio - The Adventures of Pinocchio was written by Carlo Collodi, a native fiorentino, so it's no wonder this wooden fellow is pretty popular around town.
• Ceramics - plates, platters, mugs, vases and more can be found at these shops, primarily found in the area just north of the Ponte Vecchio.
• Souvenirs - t-shirts, key chains, postcards, miniature replicas of the statue David...you can find these and many more (sometimes strange) items in shops and markets just about everywhere.

Jewelry shopping on the Ponte Vecchio

And, of course...jewelry.  You can find jewelry shops all over the city, but the most famous are the ones located on the Ponte Vecchio.  Granted, most of the jewelry at these shops is very expensive (in my opinion), but there is something extremely special about knowing that the ring, bracelet, necklace, etc, that you are wearing was purchased on one of the most famous bridges in the world!

And how can I forget food?  Or wine?  There are plenty of shops around town where you can find locally produced foods and wines that you can buy and enjoy while you are in town, or to take back home with you.  US citizens, please note that you are not allowed to bring back to the US any meat products, so if you buy some sausage, make sure you eat it before you leave!  (Check with the US Customs website to find out what you can and can't bring back with you.)

Pastas and oils for sale at a shop specializing in Tuscan foods

Shopping in Florence can be a lot of fun, especially when you are looking for souvenirs to bring home to friends and family.  Don't forget to buy yourself something nice too!

Il Mercato Centrale

When visiting Florence, you can't help notice the different markets throughout the city.  The Central Market in Florence is actually a fairly new (by Florentine standards) market.  It was started in the 1874, during the time of Resanamento, the time when Florence was reorganized in order to be better suited to be the capital of the newly united country of Italy. Many dilapidated houses were torn down and the city hired architect Giuseppe Mengoni, who had previously designed the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan.  The building itself is a mix of eras, the base being in the classical loggia style, but with the stone columns integrated with glass and iron.  Natural light filters in from the windows at the top, creating a fabulous open air feel.

photo credit - wikipedia image

This market is one that I consider to be a must-see if you are a foodie visiting Florence.  The various market stalls host a variety of goodies that are as beautiful to see as they are to eat.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh produce abounds at the market.  There are many vendors with different fruits and vegetables for sale, some you may recognize, others might be new to you.  Make it an adventure and try something different that you may have never heard of or seen before!

Meat

The market is home to several butchers, some specializing in things such as tripe, poultry, beef, etc.  There is even a kosher butcher on the premises.

One of the things I love about Italy is the variety of meats that they have to offer at their markets.  They have the standard beef, chicken, turkey and pork, but they also have things that are sometimes hard to find in the US (at least where I came from).  Quail, rabbit, and rooster are just a few of the things I've found (and tried) here that I had not seen at my local supermarket in the US.

This vendor specializes in poultry and offers such things as
chicken, turkey and rooster, as you can see here.

And of course, there are places that sell salumi!

Cheeses

There are several cheese vendors here as well, selling all sorts of lovely cheeses.  I have enjoyed trying new cheeses since being here in Florence.  Every week, we pick up something new to try.  I haven't been disappointed yet!

Bread/Pastries

There are several pasticcerie at the market.  You should definitely stop by at least one of them to try a pastry, cookie, cake or fresh bread...or two.  Or three.

If anything, at least buy a slice of Schiacciata alla Fiorentina, which is a Florentine sponge cake dusted in powdered sugar that is popular around the time of Carnival (February), but you might be able to find it year round here.  

If you're not in the mood for something sweet, then try a schiacciata (focaccia) made with olive oil and a sprinkling of sea salt.  Or perhaps a nice loaf of fresh tuscan bread (just remember that tuscan bread is baked without salt.  It is good, but it may seem strange to those who are not used to it).

Fish and Seafood

One of my favorite departments in the market...fish and seafood.

Since I hail from the midwestern US, to be able to see and smell fresh seafood like this is a real treat!  So many varieties to choose from...whole fish, filets, seafood of all kinds...it is simply fabulous!  Here you can find shrimp, calamari, octopus, etc.

Hungry?  

Of course you are.  Walking through this market is bound to make you hungry!  Luckily, there are several places where you can grab a bite to eat!

My favorite would probably be Nerbone, who sells a delightful lampredotto panino among other equally as delicious items.  Nerbone has been at the market since the day it opened it's doors in 1874 and the quality is amazing.  There are a few tables to be found across from the stall, or you can eat at the end of the counter and watch as they prepare food for hungry shoppers.

Slicing up lampredotto

Delicious lampredotto panino!

In the fish department, one smart vendor has set up a fried fish and seafood window adjacent to his fish shop.  We had a mix of fried calamari and fish nuggets with a few "chips" (french fries, for my US friends).  It was quite good alongside a glass of white wine!

Other things that can be found at the market include wine, olive oil, fresh pasta, nuts, dried fruits, flowers and mushrooms (porcini, of course!).  There is even a vendor who sells Chinese vegetables, rices and other foods associated with that culture.

If it's food, it can probably be found here at the Central Market.  The market it open from 7am until 1:30pm every day and is free to walk around and browse...but who can't resist buying at least one thing?

Pasta con Zucca

Apologies for the lack of blog posts over the past month.  The internet has not been very reliable, but I think (maybe) it's fixed (for now)!

Happy New Year!  Buon Anno!

With the new year and a cold winter in some parts of the globe (we've had a wet one here in Tuscany), why not try a new recipe to help warm the bones?

We've had a lot of these rainy days lately!
(View from Ponte Vecchio)

This recipe is an adaptation of "Ziti alla Zucca" by Mario Batali.  I ran across it when Simone brought home a couple large slices of zucca from the supermarket one day.  I had NO clue how to fix it into something delicious.  Zucca is the Italian word for pumpkin or squash.  The only way I had ever had pumpkin before was in pie or roll form.  Both delicious, but I had no clue how to make either thing from the real thing.  Whenever I made a pumpkin pie in the US, I used the canned stuff.

So I searched the interwebs for a zucca recipe.  Thank you Mario.  You saved me.

I made a few tweaks to it to fit my purposes.  This is my version.  My Tuscan heartily approved...so much so that he brought home more zucca a week later!

You're going to need some olive oil, an onion, garlic, pumpkin, salt, parsley, pasta, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

First things first.  Cut up the zucca/pumpkin into little julienne strips.

Then chop up  your onion and your garlic clove.

Throw all three into a big pan with some olive oil and cook it for one minute over high heat.

Add a cup of water, season it with some salt (you can use some pepper too, if you'd like, but I don't), lower the heat and cover it.  Let it cook for about 8 or 10 minutes until the zucca is soft.  Then add the parsley.  And by the way, when I say parsley, I mean the flat-leaved, Italian kind.  Always!

Meanwhile, cook your pasta until it's al dente.  What kind of pasta, you ask?  Well, that's up to you.  I used pipe rigate shaped pasta because that's what I had in the cupboard.  Anything that will capture the sauce like rotini or penne...those would work.

Save about a half cup or so of the pasta water and drain the rest.  Add the pasta water and pasta to the zucca sauce and cook it for about a minute or two (until the water is absorbed) over high heat.

Serve it up topped with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano!  This is some good stuff!  You won't look at a pumpkin in the same way!

Pasta con Zucca (serves 4)

2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped fine
1 clove garlic, chopped fine
1 pound (approximately 0,5 kg) zucca (pumpkin), cut into julienne strips
1 cup water
salt
2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
200 grams dried pasta
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

In a large pan, heat the oil over high heat and add onion, garlic and zucca and cook for 1 minute.  Add the water and salt to taste.  Lower the heat to medium and cover.  Let cook, stirring occasionally, until the pumpkin is soft, approximately 8-10 minutes.  Add chopped parsley and heep warm.

Cook the pasta until al dente.  Drain, reserving approximately 1/2 - 3/4 cup of pasta water.  Add pasta water and pasta to cooked sauce and toss over high heat for approximately 1-2 minutes over high heat, until the water is absorbed.

Serve topped with plenty of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

"Weihnachtsmarkt" - Mercato Tedesco di Natale - Piazza Santa Croce

The "Weihnachtsmarkt", also known as the "Mercato Tedesco di Natale" or "Mercato di Heidelberg", has been setting up in Piazza Santa Croce for 11 years now.  55 wooden vendor stalls set up shop to open on 28 November this year and will be in business until 16 December.

This German Market is probably the most popular Christmas Market in Florence.  Crowds gather each day from 10:00 in the morning until 8:00 at night, milling about the vendors, browsing and purchasing gifts and ornaments from around Europe.

And then there's the food!  Walking toward Piazza Santa Croce, you can start to smell the amazingly wonderful aromas that waft through the streets.  German food abounds.  Some of the offerings include:  pork roasting "whole hog" on a spit, wurstel, pretzels (some as big as your head), sauerkraut, and of course, apple strudel!  To help wash all this delicious food down, they sell beer and warm cups of mulled wine.

Roast pork

Bomboloni - filled donuts.  Perfect for a morning at the market...or anytime!

Apple Strudel.  This version from Northern Italy.

This version of Apple Strudel is from Austria.

At the Austrian Strudel booth, you can find different kinds of strudel...traditional apple, mixed berries, etc.

Stirring the big pot of sauerkraut

Friends and families spend time here eating, drinking, shopping and visiting with each other.  It is a very festive atmosphere, one that the locals really enjoy each year.

Christmas shopping at the market is a very international experience.  The Chamber of Commerce works with the trade associations of participating countries to organize this annual event.  Last year, there were 11 countries that participated and crowds totaled 150,000 over the course of the 20 days that it was open.

Vendors sell a variety of goods, from German foods, Christmas ornaments, clothing, toys, to English tea sets and spices from around the world.

This vendor is selling lavender products from Provence, France.

.

Dried herbs, teas, and spices are for sale at this booth.

In addition to the food, drink and shopping, the piazza that the market is located in - Piazza Santa Croce - is one of the most beautiful in Florence.  The neo-Gothic facade of the Basilica stands facing the market.  Santa Croce is always a treat to visit, so if you are in the area, perhaps you can visit the church and then head over to the market.  (For more information on Santa Croce, you can read my blog post about it here).

If you happen to find yourself in Florence around the holidays, make a point to visit the Weihnachtsmarkt and some of the other Christmas markets around town.  These events really help to put everyone in the holiday spirit!

Schiacciata all'Olio

Schiacciata is a type of focaccia bread that is made in the Florence area of Tuscany.  There are a variety of schiacciata recipes, but my favorite is schiacciata all'Olio.  It's quite simple to make, like most Tuscan recipes.  I baked a schiacciata this morning to go with the zuppa Toscana that I made  and it was a big hit with my favorite Tuscan when he came home for lunch.  

The bread is usually around an inch or so thick, crispy on the outside and with a slight chew on the inside with plenty of air bubbles.

To make schiacciata, first dissolve 25 grams (1 teaspoon) of dry yeast in a small bowl containing 250 ml (1 cup) of warm water.

Let that sit for 5 minutes or so.  Then in a large bowl, mix together 45 grams (3 cups) of flour), 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, 70 ml (1/4 cup) of extra-virgin olive oil, and the bowl of dissolved yeast.

When the dough comes together, turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth.  It should take you around 10 minutes to achieve this.

Place the dough into a large, clean bowl that you oiled with some olive oil.  Turn the dough so that it is covered with oil. 

Cover the dough and set in a warm place to raise for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  

Oil a wide baking pan with some olive oil.  I used the roasting pan from the oven, covered it with foil and then oiled it.  

Spread out the dough with your fingers so that it fits the pan.  

With your fingertips, make indentations on the surface of the dough and then drizzle the whole thing with more olive oil and sprinkle with some salt.  (I prefer to use sea salt, but any salt will work)

Let the schiacciata rest for 30 minutes while the oven is getting hot.  You'll want to heat the oven to 220°C/425°F.

Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until it is a nice golden brown.  Pull out of the oven and drizzle with some fresh olive oil.

It's fantastic fresh out of the oven, or later when it's completely cooled.  I personally can't wait that long and normally, I will grab a piece within minutes of pulling it from the oven!  

Buon appetito!

Schiacciata all'Olio

250 ml (1 cup) warm water

25 grams (1 teaspoon) dry yeast

45 grams (3 cups) flour

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

70 ml (1/4 cup) extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra

salt for sprinkling (coarse sea salt is best)

In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let sit for about 5 minutes or until activated.  In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, olive oil, and dissolved yeast.  When dough begins to come together, turn out onto a clean surface dusted with a little flour.  Knead until the dough is smooth, approximately 10 minutes.  Place dough in a clean bowl that you oiled with a little olive oil.  Turn the dough so that both sides are lightly coated with oil.  Let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  

Oil a wide baking pan and spread out the dough using your fingers so that the dough fits the pan.  Make indentations with your fingertips on the surface of the dough, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.  Let rest 30 minutes.

In a hot oven (220°C/425°F), bake the schiacciata for approximately 20 minutes or until it is a lovely light golden brown color.  

Drizzle with olive oil as soon as you pull it from the oven.