• Food & Wine

Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano

The flavours of tradition

Alessandra Heidelberg, founder of the Alessandra Style blog, tells us about her “journey” through the flavours of tradition at the Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano, a celebration of the food and wine of the Lodi area.

 

I have always been curious to rediscover traditions, particularly those linked to good food. It is for that very reason that I am particularly delighted to have taken part in the Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano (a celebration of food and wine of Lodi).

This year sees the 32nd edition of this event designed to promote the discovery (and sometimes rediscovery) of the flavours of the region through the cuisine of participating restaurants and the collection of the area's traditional recipes.

 

My experience
Tempted by this event, I headed to Abbadia Cerreto – a stone's throw from the capital – where I was a guest of the Antica Osteria del Cerreto, one of the restaurants participating in the event. Straight away, the aromas of tradition whetted my appetite.

The Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano offers three different menus, complete with starter, first course, main course and dessert: “Rassegna Classic” menu, “Pumpkin and Chestnuts” menu and “Traditional Flavours” menu. 

I opted for the “Rassegna Classic”, which allowed me to taste the very best of the gastronomy of the Lodi area (and of Lombardy) in terms of starters: typical local charcuterie and cheeses, sausage frittata, home-made meatballs, veal with beans, local cotechino with mashed potato, grilled polenta and gorgonzola dolce. No less delicious was the first course of risotto ‘alla Vecchia Lodi’, finished with saffron, slow-cooked sausage and pancetta ragù and raspadüra cheese, the typical fine slices of ‘Granone Lodigiano’ cheese. For the second course, I was served an excellent dish of beef braised in Roverone di San Colombano wine with a side dish of soft polenta. Last but not least a dessert of semifreddo with amaretti and meringues with a dark chocolate reduction. In a nutshell, a very pleasant total immersion in the culinary arts of the Lodi region, a 'classic' menu which I have to admit, exceeded my expectations and that I would strongly recommend to lovers of the traditional cuisine of Lombardy.

 

Exploring the Lodi area
The Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano is presented as an opportunity to introduce people to local farm products, but also to discover, or rediscover, the area and its treasures. In essence, it is designed to be an opportunity to promote what is known as 'local tourism'.
In fact, during the Rassegna period, you can visit art exhibitions with ad hoc installations, take part in guided tours, themed events and, why not, head off to explore Lodi and the neighbouring towns and their cultural and artistic heritage.


Useful inforamtion: rassegnagastronomica.it

 

La Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano
Da sempre sono curiosa di riscoprire le tradizioni, in particolare quelle legate alla buona cucina. Proprio per questo sono particolarmente entusiasta di aver partecipato alla Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano.

Arrivata quest’anno alla sua 32° edizione, questa manifestazione ha l’obiettivo di far scoprire (e talvolta riscoprire) i sapori del territorio attraverso la cucina dei ristoranti che vi aderiscono e il recupero delle ricette della tradizione del territorio.

 

La mia esperienza
Stuzzicata da questo evento mi sono recata ad Abbadia Cerreto – a due passi dal capoluogo – dove sono stata ospite dell’Antica Osteria del Cerreto, uno dei ristoranti aderenti all’iniziativa. In un attimo i profumi della tradizione hanno stimolato il mio appetito!

La Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano propone tre menù differenti, completi di antipasto, primo, secondo piatto e dolce: menù “Classico Rassegna”, menù “Zucca e Castagne” e menù “Antichi Sapori”. 

Ho optato per il menù “Classico Rassegna”, che mi ha permesso di assaporare quanto di meglio offre la gastronomia lodigiana (e lombarda) in fatto di antipasti: salumi e formaggi tipici locali, frittata alla salsiccia, polpette caserecce, nervetti di vitello con fagioli, cotechino nostrano con purè di patate, crostino di polenta e gorgonzola dolce. Non meno delizioso il primo piatto di risotto ‘alla Vecchia Lodi’, mantecato allo zafferano con ragù di salsiccia e pancetta a lenta cottura e raspadüra, le tipiche sfoglie sottili di ‘Granone Lodigiano’. Per secondo mi è stato servito un eccellente manzo brasato al Roverone di San Colombano, con contorno di polenta morbida. Dulcis in fundo un dessert di semifreddo con amaretti, meringhe con riduzione al fondente. Insomma, una piacevolissima full immersion nell’arte culinaria lodigiana, un menù ‘classico’ (la Rassegna ne prevede altri due, quello ‘zucca e castagne’ e quello ‘antichi sapori’) che, devo ammettere, è andato oltre le mie aspettative e consiglio vivamente agli amanti della cucina tradizionale lombarda.

 

Alla scoperta del territorio lodigiano
La Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano si presenta come l’occasione per avvicinare le persone ai prodotti agricoli locali, ma anche per scoprire, o riscoprire, il territorio e i suoi tesori. In sostanza vuole essere un’opportunità per promuovere quello che si chiama ‘turismo di prossimità’.
Durante il periodo della Rassegna, infatti, è possibile visitare mostre d’arte con installazioni ad hoc, partecipare a visite guidate, eventi a tema e, perché no, andare alla scoperta di Lodi e centri limitrofi, col loro patrimonio culturale e artistico.


Informazioni utili: rassegnagastronomica.it

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