I just returned from two weeks in California where Spring is far ahead of Spring in Tuscany. But on arriving home, I did find that the winter chill has finally left and sunny days have arrived.
At the weekly market in Certaldo, we found signs of spring.
In the village I live in, Certaldo, we are famous for the red onion called the Cipolla di Certaldo. The young spring onions inspired me to recreate a recipe that I had cooked by the famous chef Aimo, of Aimo and Nadia’s restaurant in Milano, when I worked at the Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano.
Aimo had kept us out of the kitchen while cooking to keep the recipe a secret, but when i Googled it today, there it was; Spaghettoni with Spring Onion.
Of course, I was missing something, the cherry tomatoes, it is a bit early for those here in Tuscany, so I just added a splash of tomato sauce.
Parsley and fresh thyme and the bay leaves came from my garden.
Can’t get fresher than that.
The thyme is in flower now, so I added some of the blossoms too.
Has spring arrived where you live?
What are you cooking?
Looks wonderful, Judy! I wish we could get artichokes like that here. I love the artichokes that we get here from the Castroville area, but those narrow, purple Italian ones are wonderful. Sometimes we have spring onions at Whole Foods here, if I can find some we’ll try your recipe. Vicki and I leave for Florence on May 19, five days there then three weeks at our little cottage in Moncioni. Ciao!
I HAVE AN APRON FROM THAT BUTCHER IN PANZANO!!WHAT YEARS DID YOU WORK THERE?WHAT A SMALL WORLD!I THOUGHT HE MARRIED A WOMAN FROM WALNUT CREEK,ITS NOT YOU IS IT?HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL TRIP BACK TO CALIFORNIA!YES, SPRING IS HERE!
LA contessa- I worked there around worked there for two years – 2000-2002? But have been going there for ages, and going back to teach for him for his new cooking school. I introduced him to his wife. Yes, she is also from walnut creek, but also living here forever!
Oh Judy, you fresh thing! That looks so beautiful and sounds so tempting. I am pleased that you received such a lovely welcome upon your return to Certaldo.
Spring is very much here in Atlanta, GA. Glad you are home safely, and hope your time in the USA was fun and productive! That looks so fresh and simple, and I wish my computer had Smell-O-Vision! LOL! We don’t get the young green garlic here, but I had it last May in Lucca at cooking school with Chef Pardini. Just loved the taste – so different than garlic. Take care, and keep cooking!
Here in New England spring is late. Today greenhouse grown tomatoes are roasting in the oven. Chives are growing in the garden, so we are adding those to as many things as we can!! We are usually in Umbria for spring, but not this year, we miss being there and enjoying fresh artichokes, asparagus and the weekly porchetta from the macelleria!
That looks absolutely gorgeous, so fresh and clean tasting. Isn’t Italian food wonderful when you can taste each ingredient? Spring has arrived with us here in Umbria, we’re just coming to the end of aggretti, (not convinced I’ve spelt it correctly) a vegetable I’ve only seen in Italy but so delicious.
I’m liking your blog very much and will be visiting again.
Lesley http://www.estestest.me.uk
You just have to love this time of the year…I can hardly wait to get to the market every Saturday! And having herbs and other bits in our own garden…heaven!