I love this post Elisabeth! I spent a week in Puglia in November and fell in love with the cuisine and the landscapes. In fact orechiette with cime di rapa was my favorite culinary discovery of my whole semester in Italy. I make it so often (with broccoli, since cime di rapa is impossible to find in France) that my husband finally told me that it's not his favorite :-(
We saw women in Bari making orechiette in their kitchens, open to the street, drying it and selling it from tables on the sidewalk. It's unbelievable how quickly they do it, cutting pieces from the rope and forming them in one smooth movement that is repeated 60 times per minute...
I've been writing about my other travels in Italy on my own substack, but the Puglia entries are coming soon, with lots of photos.
It’s my favorite too! 🥰 I make orecchiette with cime di rapa all winter here in Italy! I also sometimes make it with broccoli as my Italian mother in law taught me, so you’re in good company 🙂
Such a joy reading your notes, Elisabeth! I just posted my Pugliese mother in law’s 30min sugo di pomodoro recipe. 🍅❤️ The purity and simplicity of cucina povera produces legendary results.
Try finding fully delicious and not watery tomatoes in the UK unless home grown plum varieties. Imported Italian/Spanish/etc tomatoes are rarely found and are a kings ransome if you manage to source any. Sigh, full sunny days wld help...
Do you also use the crisped-up breadcrumbs to finish something soft instead grated cheese? And I love the deep-fried pasta-scraps as a topping for winter soups - people don't believe it's not bacon-bits. Brilliant!
Thanks for news of women making orechietti in Bari, Jean - it's so admirable, that skill. One of those things that hands learn all by themselves. Much looking forward to yr Puglia entries. .
I love this post Elisabeth! I spent a week in Puglia in November and fell in love with the cuisine and the landscapes. In fact orechiette with cime di rapa was my favorite culinary discovery of my whole semester in Italy. I make it so often (with broccoli, since cime di rapa is impossible to find in France) that my husband finally told me that it's not his favorite :-(
We saw women in Bari making orechiette in their kitchens, open to the street, drying it and selling it from tables on the sidewalk. It's unbelievable how quickly they do it, cutting pieces from the rope and forming them in one smooth movement that is repeated 60 times per minute...
I've been writing about my other travels in Italy on my own substack, but the Puglia entries are coming soon, with lots of photos.
It’s my favorite too! 🥰 I make orecchiette with cime di rapa all winter here in Italy! I also sometimes make it with broccoli as my Italian mother in law taught me, so you’re in good company 🙂
Thank you, that's good to know!
So nice reading the food from my region from your perspective.
We met in Oxford, the year of the seeds (might be 2017). Now I am based in Polignano. If you are still in Puglia, please visit!
Such a joy reading your notes, Elisabeth! I just posted my Pugliese mother in law’s 30min sugo di pomodoro recipe. 🍅❤️ The purity and simplicity of cucina povera produces legendary results.
Notes seemed more appropriate than recipes...
Try finding fully delicious and not watery tomatoes in the UK unless home grown plum varieties. Imported Italian/Spanish/etc tomatoes are rarely found and are a kings ransome if you manage to source any. Sigh, full sunny days wld help...
Isle of Wight cherry tomatoes - Farmer's Market - are okay. They're greenhouse-grown, but think the sea-breeze helps.
All things are possible
Do you also use the crisped-up breadcrumbs to finish something soft instead grated cheese? And I love the deep-fried pasta-scraps as a topping for winter soups - people don't believe it's not bacon-bits. Brilliant!
Thanks for news of women making orechietti in Bari, Jean - it's so admirable, that skill. One of those things that hands learn all by themselves. Much looking forward to yr Puglia entries. .
Love the melanzanne Al forno, and might have it for lunch tomorrow.