I enjoyed last week's live TV screening of the Al Bano and Romina Power reunion concert at the Arena di Verona, even if it was eccentric in parts. I particularly liked their gentle Italian version of Somethin' Stupid:
Risotto al radicchio is a traditional dish of Verona and they make it with pancetta up there. My version uses what I had in the house last night and if you saw yesterday's post, you'll know that I have a kitchen full of pomegranates! This is what I did:
Finely chop 2 shallots and soften them in a wide pan in 4 tablesp olive oil, adding a handful of pinenuts after about 2 mins. Add the finely chopped leaves of 1 radicchio - I chopped mine in the processor - and stir everything for about 5 mins. Add 500 gr arborio rice and stir that around too, then add a glass of white wine to the pan, stirring. Have ready 1 litre vegetable stock, add about a quarter of this and stir. Turn the heat down and let it absorb, then add another quarter and repeat the process until the stock is used up. It will take about 20 mins. At the end, season to taste and add the seeds of a pomegranate, then add about 100 gr grated parmesan, grana or ragusano cheese. Stir well, then take the pan off the heat, add a few knobs of butter and stir these in too. The pomegranate seeds will become mouth-burningly hot so let it stand for 3 mins or so, then serve in bowls.
The commonly held belief that it is cheaper to live in the South of Italy than in the North may be a myth, according to a survey published this week by the consumers' association Altroconsumo:
A nationwide inquiry into prices at 949 stores in 91 cities has revealed Siracusa in Sicily to be the most expensive city in Italy in which to do a weekly family shop with Catania, Palermo and Messina being the fourth, eighth and ninth most expensive cities respectively. Sassari in Sardinia was second in the list and Aosta third.
Pietro Agen, the president of Confcommercio Sicilia, has commented that prices are, in general, lower in the South but that there are fewer chain stores and, where these exist, transport costs may be pushing up the prices of their products.
My personal observation would be that the survey does not take into account the low prices in some popular local markets in the South.
And the cheapest city in which to fill that family shopping basket, according to the survey? Verona.
The time has come to reveal my whereabouts at the end of last week and those of you who guessed Verona were the nearest. I was, in fact, spending a few days with a friend who lives within the Province of Mantova and about ten minutes from Mantova itself by car. Verona is also nearby.
I very much enjoyed a drive to see the panorama of Mantova by night and by day, watching people strolling along by the three artificial lakes which surround the city, I was reminded of the tranquillity of Roath Park in Cardiff! Mantova was named Italy's most liveable city for quality of life by Legambiente in 2005.
My clue about violins and tea on Sunday was a bit of a cheat as Mantova's Palazzo Te has nothing to do with tea but was named for the island, called Teieto in medieval times, on which it was built. The Palazzo was built as a summer residence for Duke Federico 11 Gonzaga by Giulio Romano between 1525 and 1535.
The original frescoes can still be admired in the Palazzo and it also houses collections of Mesopotamian and Egyptian art as well as mementoes of the Gonzaga family. Our visit happened to coincide with an exhibition about Maria Callas so we were able to see some of the singer's gowns and jewellery as well as learning more about her life. We also enjoyed watching the arrival of guests for a 1930s -themed wedding reception which was about to take place in the elegant Palazzo!
No photos can be taken inside the Palazzo Te but here are some views of the exterior:
How cool the Gonzaga must have been in summer!
I was last in Verona some thirty years ago and I just had to go and see that most famous of balconies again:
The city traffic was heavy so I only managed a wave at the Arena but things were calmer down by the river:
These Roman remains were discovered in the city centre in recent years:
I gasped at the beauty of the city from one of its hills:
Tripoli is a hamlet within the Province of Mantova so no, I didn't see any retreating colonels!
I'm a sort-of retired language teacher from Cardiff, Wales, UK, now trying to make a new life in Sicily. I'm not growing vines, making olive oil or restoring a palace stone by stone!
