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White truffle
The true White truffle or Alba Truffle (Tuber magnatum) is found almost exclusively in the countryside around the city of Alba and in the Langhe area of the Piedmont region in northern Italy. Growing symbiotically with oak, hazel, poplar and beech and fruiting in autumn, they can reach 12cm diameter and 500g, though are usually much smaller. The flesh is pale cream or brown with white marbling. Like the French black truffles, Italian white truffles are very sought after and, as a consequence, expensive.
White truffles are considered even more refined than black truffles by connoisseurs. The white truffle market in Alba is busiest in the months of October and November. The Tuber magnatum truffles sell between 200€ and 400€ per 100g ($1000 - $2000 per pound).
Whitye truffle prices
Photo by Patricia Hofmeester
It can be eaten sliced in thin shreds on a piece of bread after having been left to soften in olive oil for at least half an hour, or grated over omelets, rice, mozzarella cheese and mashed potatoes. However, it is best known in the classic Sardinian combination of Spaghetti Alla Bottarga (always add the bottarga at the end on the dish, not in the pan). More information:
It is usually sold grated or as whole and coated in beeswax for keeping.
Lobster and Seafood
Maine lobster (known as astice in Italian), though used in delicate pasta and rice recipes, is not indigenous to Italy. The type of lobster found in the Mediterranean is known as aragosta. It is slightly larger than a Maine lobster and has no pincers. Uncooked it is also slightly lighter in color, greyish brown instead of dark brown or bleuish black.
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Panettone
A large leavened cake stuffed with candied orange and lemon zest, as well as raisins, which are added dry and not soaked. Recently, new variations appeared on the market such panettone with chocolate, with champagne cream, with . It is usually sold at Christmas and served as dessert or for breakfast. It is cut in vertical slices. Famous producers are Tre Marie and Bauli.
Photos of the YourGuidetoItaly.com banner (from left to right): (on campus) Sean Locke, (red deckchair) Valentina Jori, (chianti botlle) Donald Gruener, (Vitruvian man) Jodie Coston, (coliseum), Roberto A Sanchez, (Fiat 500) Luca di Filippo. Photos (live lobster) DGAETA, (cooked lobster) Unclesam, (Porcini mushrooms) Alessio Cola, (Ovoli mushrooms) antonio scarpi, (truffles and pasta) matteo zanga.
The most delicate and expensive mushrooms are Porcini and Ovoli mushrooms. They are prepared sauteed in a pan with olive oil, some garlic and persil and served as antipasto or with pasta.
