Tasty Tomatoes!

Our first full day in Orsara, as the base of the mountain.  What a beautiful view form the veranda as we enjoyed our breakfast.  The weather is just spectacular, warm with cool breezes and filled with sunshine.  On vacation, do you ever notice how things seem more beautiful?  Maybe it is that we have released the stress of our everyday lives to talk notice of the beauty that truly does surround us. 

Well today was dedicated to the tomato.  We started with going into the gardens.  They we picked the vine ripened gems and it was harvest time at the cooking school, Villa Jamela and reception hall.  After we enjoyed getting our feet in the dirt so to speak... we took our harvest to the cooking school were we participated in the cleaning, and prepping for the production process of making passata, or tomato puree.

Villa Jamele

The tomatoes where small baby San Marzano's, along with cherry tomato types.  Each was pureed to a smooth passata and contained in gallons for the property's use later on.  This was a treat to see how they process their tomatoes.  Prior to the trip, some of us where processing our own tomatoes back in the USA.. and just when they thought they were going to get a break from working.. ha ha, they fly to Italia to help process more tomatoes!  But all in fun and of course the process here was aided by the school and in such a new and innovative manner.

We were not alone in learning the ways of Pugliese cooking, there was a chef from Midtown Atlanta, GA also on the property.  He is a member of a small group of chefs working to learn the Italian methods in order to bring this knowledge back to the Atlanta, GA area.  He works for one of the popular Top Chef Judges, Hugh Acheson.  They are working on a putting together a program to encourage culinary opportunities for those not as fortunate, called Fresh Chef Frontier.  Kind of neat to see our homeland having such an impact outside of Italy. 

As this was the day of the tomato, we enjoyed a wonderful Borage Parmigiana, think eggplant parmigiana. It was accompanied by a pasta and of course featured the tasty tomato.  As a starter we were served a tomato, fresh ricotta basil salad drizzled with local olive oil.  If you are lucky, I will do something similar when I return for our customer at the restaurant. 

Pane Salute, Old Oven

Tonight we will dine at Pane Salute here there is an old over, dating back to 1526.  It is located in the town of Orsara.  The chef will create something divine I am certain. 

For our first full day in Orsara, it was perfect.  We were able to relax and settle into our new home for the rest of our trip and enjoy the countryside... La Campagna.  When you are here, you will know why this was the perfect name for the restaurant, because it is all about the land where we originated.  The land holds our heritage, our culture and our nourishment for the soul.  Ciao ciao, until tomorrow!