For anyone interested in truffles or, indeed, Tuscan gastronomy in general, San Miniato in Tuscany, location of a great truffle fair during November, is a name to conjure with. San Miniato is about 45 km from Florence (one and a quarter hours by car) and the time to visit is during October and November when the authentic white truffle (Tuber magnatum pico) is ready . . . not exactly to be harvested, but, rather, painstakingly sought. Truffle fairs take place in the neighbouring villages of Balconevisi and Corazzano during October, and in San Miniato itself during November. Not only are fresh truffles available for purchase but stands and restaurants offer a wide variety of dishes featuring truffles.
San Miniato in Tuscany, location of a great truffle fair during November
Truffles must be bought more or less fresh out of the ground and consumed within a maximum of four days after they have been dug up, otherwise the volatiles are lost, and along with the volatiles, the taste. Some excellent ways to eat truffles are shaved fresh onto pasta or scrambled eggs, or sliced and inserted under the skin of a fowl that is then roasted and consumed hot. Of course, there are many other excellent truffle dishes but they all rely upon capturing the delicate and transient odour of this fungus either by eating the truffle directly or by causing the perfume to penetrate the preparation.
More about San Miniato.
More about the truffles of San Miniato.
A list of the main truffle fairs and festivals in Tuscany.
More about Tuscan cuisine.
Click this link for the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte in Florence.
About Elena Spolaor
Although Elena was born in Venice, she was brought up in Tuscany and is a historian and frequent contributor to online articles about life in Tuscany and Umbria. Her specialities are Tuscan and Umbrian local history and folklore.
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