Have you watched the new season of Chef’s table on Netflix? It is not to be missed, especially that second episode starring Corrado Assenza from Caffe’ Sicilia. The episode is magical. It is enticing and inspiring, just like Corrado. In fact, Corrado has been a source of Gustiamo’s good food inspiration for decades! Gustiamo has…
Tag: corrado assenza
Almonds from Noto Are Disappearing. How Local Is That?
The Noto almonds are incredible (read why here) and the trees are beautiful. The famous almond trees of Noto, Sicily would disappear if not for the passionate work of the Assenza brothers, who select only the authentic almonds from Noto. Gustiamo imports only these into America. Try them once, and see/taste the difference. This…
Caffe’ Sicilia’s Nougats
The torrone from Caffe’ Sicilia is special. It is certainly a Christmas MUST HAVE, and it is wonderful any day of the year! One reason it is so special is because unlike other nougat traditions coming out of Italy, this torrone is soft and malleable without being gummy or tacky. Another reason why it is…
Corrado Assenza Uses Only Authentic Sicilian Products
Almonds and pistachos in the market are grown mainly in Iran and California. They are cheap and tasteless (read here why). On the other hand, the Pistachos from Bronte and Almonds from Noto are the highest expression of these nuts. I’d never met Concetto Scardace, the almond farmer from Noto, before; he had no idea…
We Go Nuts for Pistachos from Bronte and Almonds from Noto
Pistachos from Bronte and Almonds from Noto are protected by Slow Food because they are in danger of extinction. They grow a few miles apart in southeast Sicily and production is very limited. To give you an idea, in California, the production of pistachos is 4 million tons per year, and in Iran it is…
Gruppo Ristoratori Italiani @ Il Gattopardo Ristorante. Great Food and Great Company.
Gianfranco Sorrentino invited a group to his restaurant, Il Gattopardo, in order to explain what his Gruppo Ristoratori Italiani is all about. He was assisted by David Ernst (Director of Membership) and Theresa Hopkins (Executive Director). I’ll write another journal about the Gruppo, later. Now, I need to tell you about the dinner. Apart from…
No other way to finish the Feast. Piero Selvaggio says…
Caffe’ Sicilia is a magic place in a magic town, Noto, the baroque gem in Sicilia, between Catania and Siracusa. Faith Willinger, the famous food books author, is writing a series about Sicilia for the Atlantic Food Channel and of course paid a visit to Caffe’ Sicilia; she calls it “the gastronomic shrine”. “Maestro Corrado” sat at her table….