Tempo di Mele
Mention fruit and Italy, and one will likely think of grapes. After
all, vineyards drape much of the Peninsula, from the Alps on down. However,
Italy is also a major apple producer, one of the top five worldwide. The region
most Italians associate with apples is the Val di Non, in Trentino. It's not
alone, however: Apples are also grown in Emilia Romagna, the Veneto, Piemonte,
and Campagna. The crop begins in August and continues on through spring. As is
the case elsewhere, most of the commercial production concentrates on a tiny
fraction of the roughly 7,000 known strains of apples, and if you visit an
Italian market you will likely find (depending on season) Granny Smiths,
Goldens, Golden Delicious, Starks, Renettes, Gravensteins, or Galas. And, if
you are lucky, some autochthonous strains as well -- farmers are looking at
them with renewed interest.
In modern Italian cooking apples generally appear at the end of the meal, either in the bowl of fresh that closes the average every-day meal, or in a cake prepared for a special occasion. In the past, however, they often featured prominently in main course dishes, especially those containing pork. Though the custom of combining fruit with meats and herbs to produce sweet-and-savory dishes has faded it has never completely disappeared, and one does encounter dishes that contain apples, especially in fall.
SOME RECIPES:
Cosce di Pollo con Mele e Cipolle
Chicken legs with apples and onions, a pretty dish that's also easy to prepare.
Oca in Tegame con Mele e Uvetta
Goose with apples and raisins, a recipe that likely goes back several hundred
years.
Pollo Ripieno di Mela
Chicken
stuffed with apples and onions -- a surprisingly tasty combination..
Involtini di Maiale alle Mele
Apple
sauce and pork are well known. This is a tasty variation.
Filetto di Maiale alle Mele
Pork
loin with apples is a universal recipe.
Frittelle di Mela
Apple fritters
are a classic treat for all ages. Sweet as a snack, or unsugared with a roast
(very traditional).
Budino Di Mele
A simple, satisfying
apple pudding.
Mele Cotte col Vino
Apples simmered
in wine, a tremendously satisfying way to end a meal.
Mele Cotte Ripiene
Baked stuffed
apples -- tasty, and though simple elegant enough to serve guests.
Mele in Marmellata
Apple marmalade
is easy to make and quite tasty.
Ciaroltta alle Mele
A warm, tasty
dessert made with stewed apples.
Mele e Pere in Crema Speziata
Apples and pears, cooked and served with a delicately spiced cream sauce - a
wonderful dessert for a romantic dinner in winter.
Mele Sciroppate
Apples in syrup is
a great way of carrying fall into the spring and summer months
Tortino di Mele
There is apple pie
and then there is Apple Pie. This unusual variation clearly falls into the
latter category.
Difficulty: Moderate
Got more sites / recipes to suggest? Let me know!
Buon Appetito!
Kyle Phillips
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