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Got Olives?

Hey look what I got! OLIVES Easy to when you live in the middle of an olive grove in Tuscany. But even I must buy olives to preserve. My neighbors did give me olives as a nice gesture when I gave them some of my freshly pressed oil from the Becchina Estates in Castelvetrano. But…

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Tuscan Splendors

Another weeklong program done. There is nothing I love more than sharing my Tuscany…. unless it is sharing Sicily! Tuscany has been my home since 1984 and I never get tired of it. Most people don’t get beyond the big cities in one visit. Most of my students are addicted and cannot get enough and…

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Preserving Tuscany- Salt Cured Olives

As you know, I am always inspired at the market. When we bought our tiny 1/3 of a farmhouse in the hills outside of Certaldo, they wanted about $10,000 for 10 olive trees and an extra piece of land in the back of our house.  I don’t know about you, but I can buy a…

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Tuscan Herb Recipe- Pancetta “Porchetta-style”

Tuscan herb blend, perfect for porchetta. You can make this and freeze it in a ziplock bag or let it sit out on the counter and dry. I often will make fresh and then infuse an extra virgin olive oil for an hour or so and pour on grilled  or roasted meats or fish. Recently…

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Keeping Kitchen- Artichokes part 2

Once you have let the artichokes sit overnight in vinegar, remove them and let them sit for a day to drain, upside down, on a plate. When they are dry, place then in a jar and cover with olive oil. It’s important to leave the open to remove any air in the jars. Hit the…

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Salt- Cured Olives

The olive harvest began a little early this year, at the end of October, many people wait till November 3- something about numbers. When the olives are harvested for oil, some of them are still green, giving the oil here a peppery flavor. As we get farther into the season the olives ripen to black…

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Market to Table – Certaldo- Francesca’s Figs

Spending more time out in Certaldo, most of my best new recipes come from Francesca at the Certaldo weekly market. She only sells from her own farm and that of an aunt, so what you see is what you get. Today I saw the first figs! We picked up a whole tray of them when she…

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In a Pickle

I adore Pickles! Not dill, but instant gratification Bread and Butter pickles I think we call them. I use a recipe from the Fanny Farmer Cookbook, the book I go to when I have my American cravings, it has it all! Of course I tweek it…. Can never seem to follow a recipe as is!…

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Judy Witts Francini

Originally from California; Tuscany has been my home since 1984. I found the city of Florence to hold all my passions, food, wine, art all in one place. When I am not in Tuscany, I am often found in Sicily, my other favorite place to be. Always searching for recipes to share and exploring for the guides I write to my favorite cities for food and wine.

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Visit Tuscany | Kitchenmate

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