Pasta Tours and Long Lost Relatives!

Well last night's dinner at Pane Salute was spectacular.  The chef made a selection of pizza's in the old oven ranging from Potato - Fig - Capacola, to Onion Pie, to Chickory, to traditional Tomato and Pizza Frite!  The old oven has been cooking since 1526 and making everyone happy who comes.  Truly a wonderful night.

Today we ventured up to the hill into the downtown of Orsara.  We saw one of our cousins and it was a great reunion for our sister, Michelle.  The last time she was in Orsara was 40 years ago, so what a lovely time to see how the cousins have grown up for her.  This is also our sister Marie's first time to Orsara.  So for Marie to finally climb the hill her relatives have done some many times was an experience to be treasured. 

After we enjoyed some gelato, and who doesn't enjoy gelato, we went to the pasta factory Benedetto Cavalieri.  This is not a video of our tour, but a tour that is exactly what we were given today.  We met the owners and all left with some pasta to take home. 

It was interesting to see the process of how they produce their pasta.  Everything is done at a cool
temperature and the drying and storing process is also at a very low temp as to dry the pasta slowly.  This is their signature.  You may have seen their pastas in your local grocer actually.  It is one of the oldest pasta manufactures in Italy, since 1918.  

After our tour we went to Lecce town center to enjoy a lovely meal at Cucina Casa Ricci.  The Chef there is Carmella!  Imagine that!  Of course dinner was superb with roasted red peppers, pastas, cannelini bean salad and celery and so much more! 

What a great second full day in the land of our heritage.  Truly a treasure is found here.