The weather has been unkind to our Eurochocolate Festival this year. There were many visitors last weekend but a friend who runs a B&B here has had nothing but cancellations all week. This morning, at least, it wasn't raining, so I decided to venture down to Modica Bassa to see what could be seen and it seems that everyone else had the same idea!
There was so much chocolate fare on display - from our famous pure, Modican chocolate in all its glory and flavours to chocolate liqueurs, pastries decorated with chocolate, chocolate-dipped pieces of candied orange peel, to Easter eggs, chocolate pastes and chocolate from other lands - that you felt your mind and taste buds to be boggling!
Exhibitions of hand-made ceramics, lace and other typical products were also dotted about, music was playing and the atmosphere was, indeed, very jolly. If I have a criticism it would be that more tastings should be on offer, more obviously. You could have tasted virtually anything upon request, but a non-Italian tourist might not realise this or know how to ask. And there should definitely be more places to sit and pause in your meanderings, along with more indoor events at which the audience could be seated. But I'm carping for I truly had a very pleasant morning....
What I liked best were the chocolate sculptures: the one in the first picture is on display at the stalls - a pity it was deemed necessary to accompany it by a rather strident notice instructing you not to touch! - and the others are on show at a separate venue. I particularly love the "band" - they did cheer me up!
But at 12.30 pm Modica Bassa's real show began, as the elegantissima Eleanora [whom I have mentioned here] made her magnificent progress along the Corso. This 70-something [let us be kind] lady was resplendent in a knee-length Shirley Bassey style mink coat, black tights and high, maroon [the colour of her hair] stiletto-heeled boots, with bag and umbrella to match. Everyone turned to watch as she strolled along and you have to hand it to her for distracting their attention from the stalls! I can't approve of the real fur, but otherwise well done, Eleanora! The tourist board should pay her.
In the last photo you may behold the goodies I brought back from the festival: Chocolate liqueur with chilli pepper has a sensational taste and can be drunk as it is, chilled and / or with ice. You can pour some into your coffee or glass of almond milk and it can be drizzled over desserts and ice cream. I've also got my little cazzuola [trowel], the symbol of this year's festival, filled with cinnamon-flavoured chocolate. A bar of vanilla chocolate came free with my 5€ chococard [which you can use to get discounts at the stalls and in the shops and bars] and I bought a marjoram flavoured bar as I had not tried this type before. Now to the fun stuff! I have some wonderfully scented chocolate bubble bath, soap and samples of face and hand cream. Imagine, reader, the relaxing bath I am going to have after writing this post: I shall play Mexican music, pour in the bubble bath and massage myself lazily with the chocolate soap. I shall lie back in the tub and sip a shot of the chocolate and chilli liqueur. Afterwards, I shall use the creams, then stretch out on the sofa with my dog and watch the film, Chocolat again, intermittently nibbling at squares of cinnamon, vanilla or marjoram chocolate. For decadence, reader, is a state to be enjoyed in style!
18 comments:
Are you anywhere near Taormina?
I'm coming over in a couple of weeks.
Sure looks as if the weather has played the devil in Europe this past week. Still cold here, but no snow at the moment.
Hi, Steve. Not far - about 2.5 hours by car. It would be great to meet ! You'll love Taormina. Are you going to hire a car? I'd be happy to show you round these parts. If you want to contact me about meeting, my email is:
lasiciliana629@hotmail.com
Yes, I gather they've had deep snow in Rome this week. With our tiled floors and single-glazed windows, we feel the cold until it's time to close the shutters [which it is now].
Thanks for the photos WL. Really amazing.....what fun you are going to have with the bath stuff!!!!
Hmmm...I was going to avoid falling into the trap of suggesting anything too salacious, but hey, it is after the watershed...
Why don't you do become 'Chip N Dale's Italian 'agent' and manage his tour of Sicily ? You could arrange for him to be covered in said choccy coating while a horde of lovely Italian ladies remove said chocolate using a large supply of marshmallows ? Hmm..
Maybe not...
Great report WLCL, too bad about the weather somewhat ruining the event. I don't know how I could resist tasting everything being such a chocoholic, but you seem to have been very good and bought mainly non edible delights . Chocolate soap and bubble bath do sound a bit strange but then so did vanilla and we all took to that without a problem.
Some strange flavour combos there. Marjoram chocolate.
I wish I was coming back to Taormina!
Regards
jmb
Great post. Thanks. On the subject of fur, however, I note that you can take the girl out of Wales, but have not yet taken Wales out of the girl.
I am sure life in Sicily will have a mellowing effect over the years on your views. It's strange and beautiful that the Italians make some of the best fur creations, despite their climate. They just have an eye for design, I guess, and don't want to miss out on working with such a great natural material. Similarly, they don't drive well, but design some of the most superb cars.
You are condemning Russians and others to a miserable existence if you disapprove the use of fur. Nothing could be more natural or more beautiful than a tall, elegant Slavic lady in a beautiful fur coat.
If humanity is temporarily the one of the most successful species on the planet, it is because we developed the skills of trapping animals, curing and wearing their pelts so as to survive in colder climes. If we understood our place in nature better, we would revere fur, not disapprove of it.
now if that was a not a way to persude me inot the cupboard to reach for more chocolate I don't know what is!
Hi, anne. Yes, it was fun! Anon, I had to look up Chip N Dale! But now I've found his blog and it's hilarious. Thanks. Hi, jmb. Yes, the flavours seem strange but they work! A pity about the weather this week but it's sunny today and judging by the number of cars headed down to the centro and the number of people who've asked me for directions while I was out with Simi, the festival is having a very good final day! than you, TP. You have certainly given me something to think about regarding fur: I know there's a lot of hypocrisy involved, in that I wear leather shoes, covet leather bags and eat meat. And of course there are countries which are so cold that there isn't an alternative. But where there is, I still think we should turn to it. Enjoy your chocs, C/U! Lee, if you should come by, I accidentally deleted your comment . So sorry!
I am glad that I made you think about fur. I respectfully suggest that you wear a really good one before making a final decision.
I have written you a Blogpower testimonial over at the Last Ditch. I hope (rather nervously) that you approve.
Dear TP, I have just read it and I am delighted. You are very perceptive! Thank you for giving my little blog so much space and time on your wonderfully learned one. Auguri dalla Sicilia.
I'm going to grab all those chocolates and go and sulk now, Welsh...seeing you deleted my previous comment! :(
It was a long one too! *Sniff!*
I'm crying here! *Sniff!* *Sniff*
Oh heaven.
Looks and sounds and smells absolutely wonderful.
Lucky you.
How wonderful! What's the name of the chocolate liqueur? I bought the Ursula Ferrigno and Marcella Hazan books which you recommended, by the way, and am making Ursula's lemon ice cream. I boiled the lemon zest last night and the smell was heavenly. I expect you're enjoying the orange and lemon blossom in Sicily: lucky you!
I saw Chocolat again at the weekend, what a heroine Juliet Binoche is.
Although I have a savoury tooth, I might be persuaded to try some of these unusual delicacies.
Lee, hope you had a "good" sulk and didn't do it by halves! Again, sorry, sorry, sorry....
Glad you like the sound of it, Liz.
WW. it's "liquore al cioccolato - peperoncino". A lot of different companies here now make a version. I'm impressed that you bought the books and touched by your faith in me! I'm sure the lemon ice cream will be wonderful - enjoy! Yes, when you can smell the orange blossom here, it's just heavenly. [Did you know they make a lovely cologne from it, too? - "Zagara".]
Ellee, yes, I think she's a superb actress. I, too, basically have a savoury tooth. Modican chocolate, with no dairy items used in the making, is pure and a little strong for some British tastes - it's an "acquired" taste. But in small bites, it is perfect and it is chocolate as the Aztecs meant it to be. I think the unusual flavours you find here are marvellous. You think, "Oh, no, I won't like that" and then you realise that you do!
The most wonderful post WL! Fantastic delicious photos. Please can I nibble on one, pretty please. Oh, Pete won't let me. He likes the new more slender version that I now am after so much house cleaning and packing/unpacking.
Thank you, Shirl! It's so good to read / hear you sounding so very happy! LOl
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