This Tuscan chestnut cake, or castagnaccio, is a rustic Italian dessert made with chestnut flour, pine nuts and rosemary. Naturally egg- and dairy-free, it’s perfect for Christmas or winter gatherings. Castagnaccio is one of Tuscany’s most distinctive desserts. Made from chestnut flour rather than wheat, it’s dark, dense and gently savoury, enriched with olive oil […]
Joe and Pat Gartman share the festive photos from their Christmas passeggiata in Locorotondo, Puglia. This village walk is perfect for catching some late-season sunshine and early Yuletide joy. Perhaps you’ve heard of Ostuni, the celebrated “ White City” of Puglia, with its gleaming hilltop presence. Locorotondo, though much smaller, can be considered the “White […]
These filled mini panettoni are a charming twist on the classic Italian Christmas cake, with a rich mascarpone centre and bursts of candied peel. Perfect for gifting or sharing at festive gatherings. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about the scent of panettone drifting through the kitchen at Christmastime. These miniature versions capture all the warmth of […]
This pumpkin and gorgonzola gnocchi is pure Italian comfort food, with crisp pancetta and a drizzle of honey. It’s a perfect meal for chilly evenings. Sweet pumpkin, creamy gorgonzola and crisp pancetta are a match made in Italian heaven, and when paired with pillowy gnocchi, they create a dish that feels both rustic and luxurious. […]
There are hundreds of Italian ghost towns scattered across the country. Jenny Oldaker explores their silent streets and tumultuous stories, and discovers the initiatives giving some of them a new lease of life. Think about Italy’s history and what comes to mind? The rip-roaring reign of the dynamic Ancient Romans? The cultural and artistic innovations […]
In this edition of our bilingual Gazzetta Italia!, Tom Alberto Bull reports on Grand Tour Italia, the latest project of Oscar Farinetti, founder of Eataly Key words Useful Italian words and phrases to add to your vocabulary: Le prime cose The first things Una corsa mozzafiato A breathtaking ride Le montagne russe A rollercoaster Una […]
Mario Matassa’s recipe for chocolate cheesecake with cantucci and mascarpone makes a rich Italian-style dessert, perfect for Christmas or any special occasion. There’s something about cheesecake that feels instantly celebratory, and this Italian-inspired version, made with cantucci biscuits, is no exception. Rich, chocolatey and layered with mascarpone cream, it’s a dessert that manages to be both […]
Stuffed sweet peppers with Italian sausage and cheese make a delicious starter or side in this recipe by Mario Matassa Discerning Italians will cast a disdainful eye on the perfectly symmetrical peppers that sit on supermarket shelves all year round. They’re pretty, but often quite tasteless. The misshapen ones, the ones that have been grown […]
Is it time for your travels to align with your special interests? Unlock your creative talents with these professionally run arts holidays in Italy… 1. Painting Holiday Italy Capture Italy one brush stroke at a time. Paint, explore, indulge! Imagine waking up to golden sunlight spilling over rolling vineyards, then sketching hilltop villages and capturing […]
Looking for an authentic walking holiday in Sardinia? Mark Nicholls shares a day-by-day overview of his hike through the area’s historic sites and rugged trails. Plus, discover how to book your own slow travel break, and what you need to know before you do. Sardinia feels like a world apart, an island where rugged natural […]