Life on a Tuscan Farm

The Cauliflowers have just left.

Confused?

We were too, at first. They arrived at strange hours, in stranger outfits, and crammed themselves into two of Pulcinelli’s seven rooms. Interns were displaced and mattresses materialized. Pig legs were shoved into the pizza oven and an incredibly long table was set out on the lawn. For the entire weekend the villa kitchen resembled Milano Centrale at rush hour, though with a more favorable smell I’ll admit.

Cavolfiori a Merenda share a common goal – to bring exceptional local food to a beautiful table in a spectacular setting. This May holiday weekend, Spannocchia provided the perfect backdrop to a Cavolfiori event. Over two days, close to 100 guests enjoyed the very best local ingredients prepared by Luca Vaschetti and a team of passionate young gastronomes. Even a rainy Sunday could not dampen the spirits of the group – they are dedicated not only to their work in the kitchen, but to the patronage of honest food producers and the dissemination of a very important message; that good food is always best-served at a big table.

We hope they’ll return soon.

A presto…

For more information about Cavolfiori a Merenda, see http://www.cavolfioriamerenda.it/

There’s a new addition to the Spannocchia family! Erin, Ben and all of us here at the farm are pleased to welcome Charlotte Cinelli Slayton, born January 15, 2010 at 7:49am to the world! Mom, Dad and baby are all doing fantastic in Maine and can’t wait to introduce young Charlotte to the Spannocchia crew as soon as possible.

Enjoy the photos and a presto…

It’s been over a month since the fall group of interns has left and how time has flown. Things have been especially joyous on the farm this winter with TWO impressive snow falls, the birth of a baby calf, Christmas celebrations, a raucous New Year’s and 50th Birthday Celebration (Tuscan folk dancing included) and, of course, the introduction of our winter crew of volunteers. Cesco, Karla, Peter and Petra have settled in beautifully and have been busy feeding and fixing, mapping and butchering. It looks to be a productive winter in so many respects. We are thrilled to have them here.

Aguri ed a presto!!!

As the first snow falls here at Spannocchia and the fall officially leaves us, it’s time to say our final goodbye to what was a fantastic group of interns this past season. Amber, Chris, Colin, Liz, Lila, Seth, Sage and Toby worked together beautifully, which was a great thing given how much time was spent harvesting everything there was to harvest as a group this season. Their diverse interests and expertise seemed to bring them closer together, each learning from the other, thinking about things differently, gaining new interests. We will miss the ‘Meat Boys’, Chris and Toby, discussing the best way to make a ragu or roast a shoulder, Liz’s dress pants and Seth’s shorts, Colin’s amazing breakfast (and dessert and snack…) pastries, Amber’s undying affection for all Spannocchia ‘pets’, Sage’s yoga and laugh and Lila’s love of music and dance. As we settle into our winter routine here, we will think of their energy and positivity often. Hurry back, everyone! And now, some pics for the road:

Happy (late) Thanksgiving!!! Spannocchia celebrated with a feast fit for a king…or pilgrim as tradition would have it. As happens every year on the farm, guests, friends, interns, volunteers and staff convened in the villa dining room to celebrate the most American of holidays, albeit not on the actual day. The afternoon started out with Enzo tending the fire and, in turn, bruschetta which would be rubbed with garlic and topped with our olio nuovo for all to sample (lucky us!).

The herd eventually ambled into the dining room where one and all were welcomed with a delicious squash and porcini soup followed up by roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, peas and, of course, cranberry sauce (thanks to an always prepared Francesca who had brought back the hard to find berry from a recent trip to the States!). And what Thanksgiving feast is complete without the requisite apple, pumpkin and pecan pies? It was a delicious meal shared with warm company that everyone, German, Italian, Canadian, Australian and American, could equally enjoy!

A presto…