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UNEARTHING THE TASTES AND SLOW FOOD OF BRESCIA ITALY

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Welcome to Untold Morsels . I'm Katy and I

am on a mission to find culture and food
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Italian proverb

FIND THE PERFECT AIRBNB

Translated Eat to live and not live to eat
RENTAL FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

How could you go to Italy and not enjoy the food? It is, of course, one of the
delights of travelling in Italy and one of my passions. But food in Italy is more Featured

than about taste.

Its about respect for the land, the people who produce food and wine and
the ancient knowledge and traditions that have been developed and refined
over many centuries. This philosophy is often called slow food.

On a recent trip to Brescia in East Lombardy, I met some of the producers, VIEW POST

cooks and wine makers and tasted their amazing food and wine at a special
dinner in the streets of the city.

THE SLOW FOOD MOVEMENT IN ITALY

 Type some keywords...

INSTAGRAM

Founded in Italy in 1989 as a response to the increasing industrialisation of

food production, the Slow Food movement is an international association
that promotes good, clean and fair food across the world. The
movement has evolved to become a global organisation present in over 160
countries and involving millions of people.

From the very beginning, Slow Food championed regional traditions and
biodiversity the understanding of local food varieties and production
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processes.

Foodhistoryisasimportantasabaroquechurch.
Governmentsshouldrecogniseculturalheritageandprotect
traditionalfoods.Acheeseisasworthyofpreservingasa
sixteenthcenturybuilding

Carlo Petrini, founder of the Slow Food movement

The movement believes that if we understand where our food comes from
and how it was produced, then we can make better choices about the food
we buy and enjoy it more.

There is no better way to do this than to meet the producers themselves.

And thats exactly what I did in Brescia.

TASTES OF BRESCIA

The region of Brescia is part of East Lombardy, named as a European Region

of Gastronomy for 2017 in recognition of its rich culinary heritage. Over the
centuries the people of the area have worked with the unique natural
resources of their fertile valleys, lakes and mountatins to produce dishes and
wine that have been refined over time.

So what are the unique tastes of Brescia?

CHEESE
Brescia is heaven for cheese lovers. Thanks to the fertile Brescian plain and
mountain pastures, there are hundreds of varieties of cheese produced in
the region. Almost every town or region has its own speciality.

In the village of Bagolino, Bagss cheese is made from the milk of Bruna
Alpina cows who graze on mountain pastures. Pear shaped Provolone
Valpada is made from spun curds of cows milk and Fatul is produced from
goats milk.

But the most famous of these is Grana Padano. Made to a 1,000 year old
recipe from raw cows milk, the cheese is known worldwide for its hard
crumbly texture and piquant taste.

LAKE FISH

The lakes of the region are a bountiful source of fresh fish. In Lake Iseo over
23 species swim its waters including trout, perch and pike. Lake Garda is
home to to pike, trout and rare carpione a fish that can only be found in
Lake Garda.

Dishes made with the local fish are simple and cooked to enhance its natural
properties. You can often find grilled whitefish with alla pescatora sauce on
local trattoria menus.

CAVIAR
I had no idea Italy produced fine caviar until visiting Brescia. But it makes
sense now. An abundance of fresh spring water in the regions Po river valley
provides the perfect conditions for farming sturgeon for caviar.

Calvisius Caviar pride themselves on respecting their environment and

sturgeon which, in turn, yields a superior product. Fish are reared for 12
years before the caviar is extracted using manual methods.

This ensures the caviar is creamy and delicate. It is perfectly matched with
the local Franciacorta sparkling wines.

OLIVE OIL FROM THE SHORES OF LAKE GARDA

Olives have been grown in Italys lakes region for over 2 thousand years so
the locals know a thing or two about producing extra virgin olive oil.

Its a delicate process. Especially if you want to extract the health benefits
that the oil is marketed for around the world.

The oil produced in Brescia is made from Casaliva, Frantoio and Leccino
olives and is light and peppery. And, like all the best extra virgin olive oils, it
has a low level of acidity. This is due in part to the grape varieties and also to
the methods used to extract the oil refined and enhanced over the
centuries.

Olive oil is used widely in the regions cuisine as it enhances the flavour of
the local produce especially fish.

STUFFED PASTA A REGIONAL SPECIALITY

You cant mention Italian food without discussing pasta. When you visit
Brescia, casoncelli or stuffed pasta is on the menu. Hand rolled pasta is filled
with meat, breadcrumbs and herbs and folded into the shape of a bonbon.
The pasta is gently cooked and served with a sage butter sauce. Yes, its
delicious

WINES FROM BRESCIA

Where there is great food, there is great wine.

In Brescia they are proud to produce 10 DOCG and DOC wine varieties
those that have been specially classified to recognise the quality and
authenticity of the production methods.

The most famous of these is DOCG (controlled and guaranteed designation

of origin) classified sparkling white variety Franciacorta. The wine is made
to the traditional method with two fermentations, the last in the bottle, and
aged at least 18 months.

Franciacorta takes on the quality of the regions rich mineral soil and is made
from a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot blanc grapes.
Brescias terroir and unique micro climate close to the lake are the perfect
conditions for growing the Trebbiano di Lugana grape variety. This local
variety produces a rich and golden wine known as Lugana usually drunk as
an aperitivo or with lake fish.

Along the Colli dei Longobardi Wine Route there are many treasures to be
found including the worlds largest urban vineyard. Found at the base
of Castello di Brescia are 4 hectares of ancient vines that produce both white
and red wines.

BRESCIA CON GUSTO A SLOW FOOD FESTIVAL

Having stumbled upon a food festival in nearby Como last year, I jumped at
the chance to join Brescias annual slow food festival Brescia con Gusto.

Since 2000, producers, restauranteurs and wine makers of the region have
gathered to celebrate their food and wine culture over a night of feasting
and gathering.

The festival is a walking tour of some of Brescias historical sites, stopping

along the way to enjoy dishes made from the local produce by the citys
restauranteurs. Each dish is matched with a regional wine.
Brescia con Gusto offers 4 routes showcasing the food and wine of 6
different restaurants and wine makers. We followed route D and tasted a
local beer, fish from the lake, and a salad made from farro.

The highlights of the evening for me were the Pappardelle al salm di lepre
(pappardelle with hare stew) and Valcamonica rosso IGT by Cantina Bignotti.
You can try the rabbit stew at Osteria La Grotta in Brescias centro storico
or old town.

I cant think of a better way to discover regional cuisine than through this
relaxed and friendly festival. Leaning against an ancient fountain as I ate my
pasta, I wished everyone could experience Brescia con Gusto.

Not just for the wonderful food and wine but also for the opportunity to
learn about its origins and history from the people who make it.

SLOW FOOD IS REAL FOOD

Where does our food come from? What are the processes and science
behind the taste?

These are not conversations we have often in Anglo Saxon culture. But we
should.

In a world where chronic illnesses are flaring and health gurus promote
every kind of diet imaginable, isnt it time to stop, slow down and respect the
centuries of knowledge and experience of farmers and food producers such
as those I met in Brescia.

After all, they draw upon thousands of years of experience and knowledge to
create tastes that you talk about forever.

I was a guest of Brescia Tourism for Brescia con Gusto 2017. All opinions are
I was a guest of Brescia Tourism for Brescia con Gusto 2017. All opinions are
my own.

Discover more Italian food stories on Untold Morsels

The authentic tastes of Venice | Sicilian sweets | Lake Como food festival

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TANJA (THE RED PHONE BOX TRAVELS)

24THJULY2017/9:37AM

very delicious!

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