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Polenta all’Arrabiata

Posted January 26, 2012 by Sharon 7 Comments

I shake my head when I see Italian polenta on a menu or magazine article presented as some exotic gourmet dish. Where I came from (that would be the wilds of central Pennsylvania) cornmeal boiled in water is cornmeal mush. Has been for a long time. American writer Joel Barlow wrote a mock-epic poem about this humble daily staple. As a New Englander, he knew the porridge as hasty pudding.

Thee the soft nations round the warm Levant
Palanta call, the French of course Polante;
E’en in thy native regions how I blush
To hear the Pennsylvanians call thee Mush!
On Hudson’s banks, while men of Belgic spawn
Insult and eat thee by the name suppawn.
All spurious appellations; void of truth:
I’ve better known thee from my earliest youth,
Thy name is Hasty-Pudding!

The Hasty-Pudding, Joel Barlow, 1793

Italy didn’t have corn, of course, until Columbus brought it back from the Americas. While the habit of eating fresh corn never really caught on among Italians, cooking the ground dried kernels did. Generations of Italian peasants survived on polenta. I once interviewed an American woman whose father had grown up in the Veneto. His family ate polenta three times a day. On good days, a few pieces of salami or cheese might accompany the porridge.

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Filed Under: Culture, Food, Mediterranean diet, Recipes Tagged With: gluten-free Italian recipes, Italian cooking, italian recipes, pasta substitutes, polenta

Landhaven Bed and Breakfast Cooking Class

Posted January 16, 2012 by Sharon 1 Comment

Explore Italian cooking beyond pasta and pizza. Polenta, beans, potatoes, and rice dishes are so satisfying--and gluten-free.

Calling all Inner Italians in southeastern PA and central NJ!

I’m looking forward to teaching a Saturday evening class (January 21, 2012) “Savoring Italian Tastes” at the charming Landhaven Bed and Breakfast owned by Donna and Ed Land. Located in the village of Huff’s Church (Barto, PA), it’s an easy destination for anyone from the Lehigh Valley, the Philadelphia area, or west central NJ.

My class is part of a Food Lovers’ Weekend showcasing gluten-free cooking. On Saturday evening, I’ll show how to prepare delectable Italian dishes that just happen to be gluten free: Risotto with Shrimp and Peas; Cheesey Polenta all’Arrabiata; Zucchini Crust Tomato Basil Tart; Chicken and Red Potatoes alla Pizzaiola. You can sign up for my class only or enjoy a weekend package with two nights lodging with Donna’s incredible breakfast, 3 cooking classes, tastings, and field trips.

Call or e-mail Donna to register:

610.845.3257

donna@landhavenbandb.com

Filed Under: Food, Mediterranean diet, Recipes Tagged With: gluten-free Italian recipes, Italian cooking class

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