This pine nut torta is very typical of the desserts from Tuscany and Umbria – simple, rustic, and not too terribly sweet. This delicious, buttery cake topped with pine nuts is perfect for coffee or an afternoon snack.
Pane Toscana
Pane toscana is the traditional saltless bread of Tuscany. It isn’t meant to be eaten alone but rather with the spicy dishes, strong cheeses, and salty meats of the region. This is perfect to serve with antipasti or for dunking in a rich, delicious soup.
Apple Cake (Torta Di Mele)
ThisTuscan apple cake is wonderful when fresh, crisp apples arrive in the fall. Typically Tuscan, it is not too sweet and not too moist and perfect with espresso or Vin Santo.
Osso Di Morti De Volterra (Day Of The Dead Cookies Of Volterra)
Osso Di Morti are made all over Italy for All Souls Day on November 1st, but at Migliorini Pasticceria in Volterra these delicious cookies are made throughout the year!
Be sure to try these wonderful, chewy, meringue based cookies. Volterra will not disappoint you!
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Biscotti
Nothing says Italy quite like biscotti. Also known as cantuccini in Tuscany, these cookies come from Prato, just north of Florence — the starting point of our Italian journey! And what an amazing journey so far! There is amazing art and architecture and shop windows filled with delicious pastries!
Enjoy these biscotti with coffee or the Italian way with a glass of Vin Santo! We certainly will!
Off To Italy! And Chocolate Hazelnut Tarts
Tomorrow Roy and I are off to Italy for a 6 week adventure. We will be sightseeing, walking the way of St. Francis from La Verna to Rome, and eating lots of wonderful food! SO, for the next few weeks I will be posting from various regions throughout Italy including Florence, Lucca, Volterra, Assisi, Rome, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. I’ll include recipes such as pane Toscana (Tuscan bread), lemon olive oil cookies, torta Caprese bianca (a delicious lemon cake from Capri), and these chocolate hazelnut tarts. I hope you’ll enjoy this culinary journey through Italy and highlights from the trip as well!
The northern part of Italy grows some of the most delicious hazelnuts in the world. Since our Italian journey begins in Milan, rich, decadent chocolate hazelnut tarts seems the perfect way to begin!
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Knobby Apple Cake
It’s fall and in Maine that means trips to farm stands and orchards to get local apples. My mom has made this knobby apple cake for as long as I can remember. It makes a perfect snack for cool, crisp autumn afternoons.
Truffles
I regularly teach classes – even on vacation! Last week I had the opportunity to teach a truffle making class here in Maine to a group of five fantastic women. We had a blast and made some delicious truffles as well. Here are the three recipes we used and some pictures of our great night!
Date Filled Cookies
I love to make elegant pastries but when I visit my family in Maine I always want desserts from childhood. These date filled cookies fill the bill! The cookies are soft and tender and I make sure to put as much filling as possible in each cookie!
