My first full day in Italy started with meeting Aunt Wende and Uncle Patrick's friend, Judy. When they told me I would learn a lot more when she is with us - they weren't kidding. Judy is an Italian life coach, teaches cooking classes, blogs, is an Italian food author and is publishing a Chianti region app in a few weeks - and is just fun to be around! Breakfast was at one of her favorite pastry shops.
Oh - Judy takes great photos, too! That IS a picture of our breakfast pastries. And yes, they were even better tasting than they look in the picture. The whipped cream is different than whipped cream at home- I can't describe it - so I'll just say it taste amazing. Next stop - a pretty village called Panzano in Chianti.
It was market day - the day the "stores" come to the village on carts/trucks which happens once a week. You can buy anything from hair clips to hand-made wooden utensils made from the wood from olive trees.
After a little shopping at the market- it was off to Dario's for lunch- the main reason for our drive to Panzano. Dario is a famous butcher who (as typical in Tuscany) uses the entire animal - the ENTIRE animal. Judy told me that hundred of years ago the steaks and main parts of a cow were for the wealthier classes, so the pheasants made do with the left-over parts of the animal. Those traditional recipes, Dario still uses today.
But first, since Judy is good friends with Dario we got a "back door" tour.
Check out these steaks, Dad!
Mom, how long do you think it would Dad to cook these? LOL
We had a 10-course lunch that was served family-style where we sat with others at a table with about 18 people. This picture is of ground meat served almost "sushi" style (raw) with rosemary and olive oil. Now, I normally wouldn't eat my meat this way...but I thought Dario knew what he was doing since he family has been in this business for hundreds of years. I also tried cow face -yes - cow face - I TOLD you they eat every part of the cow - they don't waste one thing. Everyone agreed with me when I decided that the cow face tasted like the white part of a hard-boiled egg - cooked protein.
The meal took about 2 1/2 hours - a typical Italian sit down meal. They are not in a hurry and really enjoy taking their time and talking with their friends and family.
After lunch, it was back to the butcher shop to say good-bye to Dario. Dario is a BIG hugger. Aunt Wende and Judy warned me that he would hug me - but it was really a surprise to both of them when he picked me up behind his butcher's counter! Uncle Patrick said that in this case, I was picked up by an Italian-man and there was nothing he could do about it - haha! It was an a great afternoon - and definitely a party-atmosphere in his shop where he gives everyone free wine and food (I had lard with herbs on bread), he has his favorite music playing, and the party just spills out into the small street in front of his shop.
Good-bye, Dario's and Panzanon Chianti :-(
(You see these signs each time you leave a village or town.)
Next stop...Chianti Cashmere Goat Farm.
A beautiful farm in the village of Radda in Chianti - where I did pick up some cashmere yarn to make something when I return home.
Last stop of the day - the village of Volpaia. where we sat in the small piazza and had a drink to cool off on a very hot 100 degree day. It was a VERY full first day in Italy - I'm ready for more.
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