As has become customary during our stay in Cortona, we are often invited to dinner at Casale della Torre. With friends Lapo and Paola as our hosts, there is always much to learn and never a dull moment around the table. This year, I thought I’d share some of the highlights from our wonderful meals and times together. Just about everything they serve comes from their land, including the vino. (Carrol and Larry, this post is especially for you!)
Last night, we celebrated the feast of San Martino with new wine and some other traditions.
According to Italy Magazine:
On the 11th of November, Italy celebrates San Martino, St. Martin, a soldier of the Roman Empire who became a Saint for his great humility and generosity.
The story goes that while he was riding at the gates of the city of Amiens with his soldiers, he met a poor, freezing beggar, cut his own military cloak in half and shared it with him. That same night he dreamt of Jesus wearing the half-cloak he had given to the poor man and thanking him for his compassionate gesture.
It is also said that at the moment he shared his cloak, the sun came out and that is why what in the U.K. and the U.S. is known as Indian summer, in Italy is called Estate di San Martino: a short period of time during the first weeks of November characterised by relatively good, warm weather.
This is also the right moment of the year to try “novello” wine (new wine); as the old Italian saying reminds us, “A San Martino ogni mosto diventa vino” (On S. Martin’s day, all “wine must” turns into wine).
Festivals and celebrations are organised throughout Italy, with people usually preparing the typical “zeppole or frittelle di San Martino” and drinking vino novello.
We did both!
Our smiling and very appreciative group included people from Australia, the USA and Italy.
We roasted chestnuts in the open fire – (it’s not just a song!)
And drank the unfermented new sweet wine…
Then finished the evening with dessert and cachi (persimmon) right off the trees…
And finally, we ended the evening with some of Lapo’s specialities.
Lapo e Paola, grazie per un’altra splendida stagione. Voi siete cari amici. Alla prosimma!
Tanti Abbracci e ciao,
Giuditta e Leonardo
What a kind gesture, Judy. I know Carrol regards them as “my Italian family” – her words from a recent e-mail to me.
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Wonderful, Judy. Special meal, special friends, did not know about Estate di San Martino. Thank you!
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Same for us, but as I mentioned, we always learn something new from them!
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Everything looks delicious. You should write a cookbook. It would be wonderful to have authentic recipes.
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Actually, I think daughter Ilaria is about to be releasing some recipes and info on their new cooking school. I’ll link to it when it happens.
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Wonderful to see Paola and Lapo and Len looking so well and that fabulous looking food, mmmmmmmmm,…thanks for sharing and for the memories!!!
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I know these are especially fun for those who have shared the same experience with them. You are most welcome!
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Busted! We roasted chestnuts in that very fireplace as well.
We were afraid we were breaking the rules so we didn’t mention it when we had dinner there with you and Len and Lapo and Paola. 🙂
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Too funny!
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These are fabulous judy – bet those chestnuts smelled delicious – I’m dying for 1 !!!! Auguri !!!
Sent from my iPad
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They smelled and tasted delicious. I told them about how we would always burn them, but now I actually know how to make them! Wish Dad could have had some of these!
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What a fun evening! 🙂
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Very special!
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Great, delectable homemade experience – and a mouthwatering persimmon to boot!
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