Ashley Bartner's Page

I had visited Castello Brancaleoni many times for numerous festivals, concerts & even a fully costumed medieval dinner, but I thought it was about time for a proper tour of the castle that sits above the town where we live. With my family in tow, we weaved our way through the old part of town, over the bridge, through one of the two arched entrances of this walled city- it's medieval baby! - marvelling at the crumbling village surrounding this… Continue

"I'll be here at 5:30 am ... have the coffee ready!" commanded our "capo" Dott. Gaggi.

We knew what that meant - the conditions were right for a rare summer mushroom hunt - but in particular for the ever-loved - porcini! We had the perfect guide - Dott. Gaggi, certified Mushroom Hunter & expert on everything! Mushroom lovers & die-hards know that 10 -15 days after a good rain followed by warm dry weather is ideal hunting conditions &… Continue

Lesso di vitello con salsa verde

Poached beef with green sauce



A quick note about lesso or boiled/poached meat: you can make a lesso of anything - fish, chicken, beef even potatoes. A great secondo for a hot day - as you can make it far ahead of time & then there is no need to turn on your stove in the heat of the day! I must say that boiled meat sounds gross - boiled meat with green sauce sounds like you may find it on a shoddy… Continue

Here is the next installment of my personal favorite way to travel - eating your way through Le Marche for July Events, Festivals, Market & More! I have added as asterisk * next to particularly interesting or tasty events! Grab a glass of wine because there are a ton of summer fests in July!



JULY 2009

Pesaro

Festa del porto (the week before the 1st weekend)

Harbor festival, traditions, games, sports, gastronomy, exhibitions, music & more - great excuse to spend… Continue

Driving down our road the other day we noticed our neighbor Walter (pronounced Valter), working with the bees so we had to stop!



He showed us the boxes, the bees & the "goods" - that golden sweet honey!



In a region filled with artisan honey filling every market, we choose to buy only the best & that just so happens to be from our neighbors! They only make enough for family, friends & the random passerby who would like a jar.



There are 2 sometimes 3… Continue