Mar 20, 2009

Window-shopping at Gargani, Rome

A little food porn from the storefront window of Gargani, the Bulgari of Roman gourmet grocers.















Featured in this first picture:
Upper left-hand corner: the delectable tortellini Maletti with a prosciutto and Parmigiano filling. Notice how the pasta dough is bright yellow, you thank the farm hen and her organic eggs for that.
Above, center: ricotta and spinach ravioli, homemade by a local pastaio artisanal manufacturer
Upper right-hand corner: organic pesto sauce sold by weight
Middle: tagliolini all'uovo, fresh egg pasta, coarse and delicious thick angel hair-type
Lower left-hand corner: "caramelle," pasta dough 'candies' made with spinach, stuffed with Fontina cheese and ground walnut meats.
Below, center: mini potato gnocchi (the size of a thimble)
lower right hand corner, hand made Ligurian trofie (perfect marriage with above-mentioned pesto)















Second photo illustrates:

Upper left-hand corner: semolina gnocchi (typical of Rome). These are discs of polenta-style cooked semolina, and they are usually prepared by broiling them in the oven to form a crispy butter and grated Parmigiano crust.
Above, center: capellini (angel hair) egg pasta nests
Upper right-hand corner: reverse angle on aforementioned tortellini
Middle: assorted fresh homemade egg pasta, sold by weight
Lower left-hand corner: mini multi-colored potato gnocchi (tomato and spinach added to the potato flour mix)
Below, center: "caramelle" pockets stuffed with a pumpkin and crushed amaretto filling
Lower right-hand corner: regular potato gnocchi














And now, onto dessert. The following 2 pictures display:

Assorted crostate tarts (apricot marmalade, Nutella, blackberry jam, custard and pinoli (Italian for pine nuts), mixed dried fruits, etc. Notice the price in the foreground, €16,00 per kilo (hence the Bulgari nickname)
Marron glacées (candied chestnuts with a caramelized violet flower on top)
Fruit tarts, with prevailing strawberries (out of season, really...)
Salame di Cioccolato, a decadent chocolate dessert. For the recipe, see my rendition here
Antichi (way, way in the far back), a confection inspired by an ancient Roman recipe: baked pastry baskets filled with honey, almonds, raisins and pine nuts
Pastiera, the quintessential Neapolitan Easter cake made with wheat, ricotta and just a drop of orange blossom essence
Apple strudels, they come in any size, shape and form
And away, hidden in a far nook, a majestic bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, a damn fine Champagne


11 comments:

  1. So many delectables all in one place! Isn't that dangerous? Doesn't it worry you? Don't you want to share?

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  2. This isn't porn, it's torture. Please send me one of those pies. Any one. Your choice.

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  3. anno - It is quite dangerous, but nothing food-related worries me. Can I ship you anything?

    Pyzahn - I'd go for a Nutella tartlet. FedEx? Thanks for dropping in to say hi.

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  4. Yummy!
    Sorry to hear your little one is sick, Lola.

    I was a single parent of 3 kids for 5 years, so I understand those feelings you spoke of.
    Big hug to you.x♥

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  5. Natalie - Thank you, what sweet words. I love this blog thing, it allows me to connect so easily, so freely, so warmly. And reap huge benefits.

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  6. Lola, torture is right! Do you know what it is like to live in a place where that kind of food is not even available? Okay, I can travel about 2 hours to Boston's North End ... come to think of it, it may be worth the trip!

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  7. Lola ~ I haven't been to Rome in ... well, WAY too many years. I stop by to visit and you tease me with food. This is, indeed, a quiet form of torture. :o) I hope you are well.

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  8. Good heavens, you're killing me! I can't read your blog at night when I'm hungry. Note to self: have a snack first.

    I want every single thing in that first photograph.

    Love it...thanks, Lola!

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  9. Jennifer - Great! Next time you're in Boston, stash up and report back.

    Beth - Thank you for stopping by for a bite to eat, please come back soon. I promise, no more teasing.

    sallymandy - Thank you for dropping in, next time bring a snack for me too. Ciao!

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  10. Now I know I live a very staid life - I must get out more! I must go to a place that has stuff like this in cute little stores!

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  11. Susan - well said, come to Italy! There's one around every corner...

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