Pisa, Italy

 

I went to see the leaning tower because, doesn't everyone? But while I was in Pisa, I also discovered a few somewhat less tourist driven stops along the way. As I walked through the town, I meandered through a market with many vintage goods of all types for sale. I also found a food market, Mercato delle Vettovaglie, which is well know, but unknown to me until stumbling upon it's many stalls. I admired the cheese and fish and pestos, as well as buying a cannoli, the only one that I can remember eating while in Italy! 

I also made my way down a little side street (although most of the streets in Pisa could be described exactly this way) to a restaurant I had been hoping to experience for lunch. However, they were closed! Although disappointed, a few more steps down on the same street, I enjoyed a remarkable meal of pumpkin souffle and eggplant at Sosta Dei Cavalieri. 

Pumpkin and almond pudding with Muffone cheese cream of the Carai farm, Volterra, Italy.

This is not sweet, but savory, although the presentation is commensurate with a perfect bakery dessert. It was smooth and crunchy and savory and I wanted it to last for longer than it did!

Gratin of eggplant with pecorino cheese and smoked ricotta cheese and Pachino tomato sauce. 

Here is a quintessential food picture from Italy. However, it also fits the bill for the quintessential taste of Italy. Pure fresh ingredients that are so thoughtfully combined that the simple tastes meld into something really remarkable. This was a very memorable dish and certainly what Italian eggplant is intended to taste like. Please make a stop at this restaurant if you have the opportunity. They also boast a lovely assortment of wine offered elegantly in daintily thin wine glasses. I went for the tower, but remember the food!