Mange Firenzia

Review by Debbie Mazo

 
From the vineyards of Chianti to the bustling markets of Florence, the region of Tuscany in Italy is well-known for its unique and tasty vegetables, fish, meat, poultry, and cheese. Discover the art of eating and cooking in and around Florence when you visit Mange Firenzia, a site featuring culinary vacations and workshops as well as a selection of recipes from the featured programs.

Hosted by Judy Witts Francini, a resident of Florence since 1984, this stylish site can tempt any globetrotter into journeying to Tuscany and experimenting with the local cuisine. Discover the details at the site which includes customized, hands-on cooking classes in a typical Florentine apartment overlooking the Mercato Centrale (Central Market). Start the day by shopping for the best produce of the region, and finish with a leisurely meal that you've helped plan and prepare.

Even if your immediate traveling plans don't include Italy, this website is still worth a stopover. Introduce yourself to cucina toscana, enjoyed by generations of Florentine citizens, by sampling some of the site's recipes. The selection here is seasonal and features fresh-in-the-market ingredients available at local markets or specialty shops in most metropolitan areas.

Give new meaning to leftovers when you prepare Ribollita, a "left-over" vegetable soup baked with bread that yields different soups for three meals. Or, try the Ravioli Gnuidi (Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi) served with either butter and cheese or Salsa di Noci (walnut sauce) thinned with white wine and seasoned with fresh herbs such as thyme and marjoram.

The site also offers a guide to the top wine bars and trattoria of Florence (specifically, in the neighborhoods of major cultural attractions) and a photo slide show of the top sights in Florence. For the best of Florence, Mange Firenzia lets you experience all the sights, smells, and sounds but without the airfare.

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