Ciao Readers!
Okay, my mouth is watering just reminiscing about this festival and I am still smiling thinking about the fabulous little town it was in – San Miniato. Apparently for the last 3 weekends of November every year for the past 42 years this little town has had the largest truffle festival in all of Tuscany (truffles as in fungi, not chocolate, though there was some of that as well). It was so much fun (and soooooo delicious [if you like truffles])!
Now, for those of you paying extra close attention, you may remember that San Miniato is the name of the church on the top of the hill overlooking Florence (and supposedly where San Miniato brought his severed head). Contrary to what I first thought, this is not where the festival was – there is actually a separate town (requiring a 40 minute train ride, then a bus ride into town) called San Miniato. While it is a very ancient and historic city (which you can read about here), it also had a very modern and relaxed feel (complete with a “peace” restaurant and funky musicians, pictured). It is also on top of a hill, so it has great views.
The festival itself spread throughout town – with various booths selling both truffle and non-truffle-related food specialties (and providing tastes) as well as full-fledged food stalls serving many truffle-based dishes. Anywhere you walked in town you bumped into another section of food stalls (as well as all-around good cheer). Pictured (row 1) is some of the truffle pasta we had (okay, not tons of truffles, but it really was yummy and truffle-y tasting) as well as the makings of our truffle-infused porchetta sandwich (YUM!) and our non-truffle infused pistachio cannoli for dessert. The next photos are various shots taken at the festival, followed by shots of the very cool town (including one of Steve looking content) and views. I can’t say enough about what a lovely day and festival this was. If you’re ever in Tuscany this time of year, it’s a “can’t miss”! Thanks for coming along…
New Mexico to Italy 
expatsincebirth
/ November 29, 2012Thank you so much for these wonderful pictures! You could almost smell the cheese, the truffels!… I’m so glad you can do all these things while you’re there. It’s so much to discover in and around Firenze. Ti auguro una bellissima giornata, piena di nuovi saporie colori xxx
newmexicotoitaly
/ November 29, 2012Grazie, as always for your kind words! 🙂
Bobbi
/ November 29, 2012I love the chocolate tools.
Colleen
/ November 29, 2012Remind me to read your blog AFTER dinner.
newmexicotoitaly
/ November 29, 2012Ha!
Ako
/ November 29, 2012^ +1!! Or in my case, AFTER breakfast! 🙂 I am so envious (but in a good way)!
Roger Kennett
/ November 29, 2012I totally understand the “grass is always greener” emotion, but you seem to be having the most idyllic experience. (piacerebbe una scatola degli attrezzi piena dei cioccolati)
newmexicotoitaly
/ November 29, 2012Well, now that I’m working through culture shock I am starting to appreciate it much more!
d1223chicago
/ June 27, 2013I am actually going to the white truffle festival in Alba (neat Torino) this November with my visiting Vermont friend:)
Newmexicotoitaly
/ June 1, 2015Reblogged this on New Mexico to Italy and commented:
Ciao Readers!
I have to admit, I’ve been hard-pressed for inspiration for a new blog post since my gallbladder removal. Some of the rejected ideas I’ve had include “Gallbladders and Other Extraneous Organs,” “The View from My Couch (a photo anthology),” and “Chicken Broth and Other Boring Recipes.” However, as I recover I am thinking about Italy (no surprise), how I can get back there this Fall, and if I can time it to coincide with the “Best Truffle Festival Ever.” So, please come along and reminisce with me about the wonderful truffle festival held every November in a nifty little Tuscan town….