Calci (Pisa) discovering and cooking wild Herbs in Tuscany

It is a splendid new course/cooking class that I was able to create Thanks to the help of an expert herbalist: Maurizio.

Cooking wild herbs is the end of a marvelous walking in Nature here in Tuscany hills.

What we’re going to do during this “wild herbs” Cooking Class

Course duration: 3 hours about

recognize and distinguish the herbs we meet along the way
collect herbs and create a Menu with herbs and flowers collected
arrive at an old country house among the olive trees where we’ll cook herbs and enjoy the meal together

Contact me to learn more
Last Sunday I lived a really amazing experience. I’m not exaggerating, I sincerely can say that I couldn’t imagine feeling so good with some people, inside nature, knowing and learning all the species of wild herbs that you can find here in Tuscany, during this period, the Autumn.

Finally an authentic experience

I was lucky to meet Maurizio, a farmer who lives in daily contact with the seasons and with the natural wonders.

You can learn so much from people like him. And it’s really prepared on the subject of wild plants and has the ability to teach you recognizing a plant, almost as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
I must say that it is open to me a marvelous view, made of colors, odors, but especially the fact of “this hidden nature” (wild herbs), that yesterday I just lazily watched distractedly. The world of wild plants is truly extraordinary. And the thing that excited me most is the fact that many plants that we have seen can be eaten and are delicious!

After we picked them, in fact, we continued our walk toward Maurizio’s home, which lives in an old stone farmhouse surrounded by olive groves.

Cooking wild herbs

Once there, we cleaned herbs and cooked them in various ways:– With the milk thistle and wild carrot we prepared a beat, and then we fried them in a pan. Afterwhile we seasoned with this sauce some bread slices (homemade and cooked in a wood oven bread!) and Maurizio has dusted over this marvel some calendula petals. Rating: 10 cum laude– We prepared a mixture with raw herbs, those most tender (sorrel, lamb’s lettuce, wild leek, catnip, dandelion…) and then we seasoned them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. At this point, we put on the bread (cut into slices) some milky mozzarella and we seasoned it with fresh herbs.
Rating: 10
The undisputed star was, however, basmati rice, which we cooked with a little water. In the meantime, we put on the fire, in a large pan, a little ‘oil and half a cup of water and then the herbs to cook, cut. Once cooked (about 15 minutes), we flip into the pan with the rice (cooked and drained of its water)

Rating: 10 cum laude

We also tasted my Focaccia (natural yeast) with fresh tomatoes and extra virgin oil, after warmed it a bit in a large pan.

This course on the herbs with a walk in the fields, and the beautiful house where we enjoyed some real delicacies were a really fantastic experience and they enriched me so much. I think Maurizio lives giving importance to what really has, I believe he discovered the meaning of life, unlike many of us.

That’s why I brought this authentic experience to my “students” in cooking classes in Tuscany.

I’m at your disposal for any further information. Anyway, do not hesitate to read HERE. I really recommend this experience as is possible.

Erika Elia

info@cuocheinvacanza.it

www.cuocheinvacanza.it

Salva

Comments

Anonymous says

22 November 2013 at 9:28

Very interesting post, I miss so much Tuscany nature! Looking forward to coming back early

Anonymous says

22 November 2013 at 9:53

We wait for you!

ginevra puccini says

22 November 2013 at 10:28

La prossima volta vengo anch'io! Next time I'll come with you!

Erika Elia says

22 November 2013 at 10:35

Certo! I'm organizing myself and my friends…hoping it'll be always better