Our plentiful potato and onion harvest

/ Mad About Tuscany/
Our plentiful potato and onion harvest

The kids and I have had a busy day in the vegetable garden just recently with Nonno digging up all the potatoes and red onions. I am inspired by how much I am learning from Carlo’s father and the neighbours about the vegetable garden. Growing your own is par for the course here, and there's a wealth of heirloom herbs, vegetables and fruit to choose from. These old, original varieties have incredible flavour.

Here are 2 recipes that bring out the best in homegrown potatoes or onions. Enjoy!

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Holiday snaps from Mad About Tuscany, Cortona

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I just had a lovely email from Scott Ledger and his wife Julie who have arrived home safely in Queensland from their Italian holiday. They found us on Google when searching for Tuscan holidays and we're so glad they did - it was a delight to have their company. Their tour group comprised of 4 separate couples, none of whom had previously met. They formed fantastic friendships and have planned not only to keep in touch, but to have a reunion in 2017.

Scott and Julie have shared with us some fabulous photos of his week in Cortona on the Mad About Tuscany Tour.

Great photos of lunch under the trees and also at Matteo's restaurant!

Thanks for sharing, Scott and Julie. It was our pleasure to show you around Tuscany.

 
 

Rolled Loin of Pork with a Fennel Stuffing

/ Mad About Tuscany/
Rolled Loin of Pork with a Fennel Stuffing

There's something special about lighting the wood fire and slow cooking a roast. You get a beautiful flavour that conventional ovens just can't replicate. Wood fired pizza ovens seem to be gaining popularity and they're not just for making pizza - try this delicious rolled pork loin for something different...

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La Crostata Di Mele Della Mamma

/ Mad About Tuscany/
La Crostata Di Mele Della Mamma

"La Crostata Di Mele Della Mamma" or Mum's Apple Tart Recipe. This is Italian comfort food at its best. A friend arrived earlier with a basket full of freshly-picked apples so I've just prepared the pastry to make this lovely tart for dessert tonight.

I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine!

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Exploring a 2000 year-old bridge in the Cortona rain forest

/ Mad About Tuscany/
Exploring a 2000 year-old bridge in the Cortona rain forest

Our neighbours told us about an ancient Roman bridge hidden away in the forest only 5km from Cortona town. I've been visiting Cortona for over a decade and hadn't heard of this bridge, and Carlo had a vague memory of visiting it as a child; it's one of those forgotten "local secrets". So we packed a picnic and set off for an adventure...

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Insalata di Farro, con Pomordorini, Zucchini, e Herbe

/ Mad About Tuscany/
Insalata di Farro, con Pomordorini, Zucchini, e Herbe

This salad is inspired by the garden and has all the flavours of summer. The addition of farro grain makes it a filling meal; a perfect lunch or light dinner.

Carlo's lovely Dad looked after our Italian kitchen garden over Christmas and planted seedlings before we got back in Spring. There's an abundance of tomatoes, zucchinis, capsicum, rocket and beautiful herbs. This salad celebrates the kitchen garden and all the lovely produce it gives us.

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Gelato Biscotti

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Gelato Biscotti

For Shanna and Giacomo - who have loved this for years and now help me make it! (I'm so proud!)

Tina introduced us to Gelato Biscotti many years ago in Cortona. It's the home made version of an Icecream Sandwich. It's a real high-summer treat and is super easy but does require (a) adult help and (b) the foresight to plan a day ahead. The latter is where we fall down, in the midst of summer school holidays, which makes this even more of a treat when we have everything prepared. A single bite takes me back to summer holidays in Cortona.

Dress them up for adults with a grown-up filling; coffee, pureed mango or raspberry.

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Casarecce Pasta with Zucchini, Pancetta and Parmesan

/ Mad About Tuscany/
Casarecce Pasta with Zucchini, Pancetta and Parmesan

Some days there's time for home made pasta and a slow cooked ragu. On the other days when life is full of sport, school or socialising this is the perfect quick and healthy pasta dish. True comfort food as we eat in Tuscany.

Casarecce pasta is shaped like a very narrow, twisted and rolled tube. It's great with a chunky sauce. In Australia you'll find it at major supermarkets - the Barilla brand (pictured) should be at your local Coles.

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