ONCE UPON A TIME...

...there were some beautiful apples that grew in South Tyrol/Sudtirol. The fruit of unspoilt  nature and offspring of tradition,they grew to be naturala and delicious. No one knew about them, because they did not have a name...

Then MARLENE & MELINDA CAME!!!

Success is guaranteed with this simple recipe prepared with natural ingredients from “Cucinare nelle Dolomiti. Le migliori ricette dal cuore delle Alpi” (Helmut Bachmann, Heinrich Gasteiger and Gerhard Wieser, ed. Athesia).

100 g of butter - 3 egg yolks - 1 sachet of vanilla sugar - 150 g of sugar - 3 egg whites - 1 pinch of salt - 150 g of flour - 70 g of finely grated hazelnut - 25 g of ground poppy seeds - 1 sachet of baking powder - 100 g of grated GOLDEN apples - butter to grease the moulds - flour or grated hazelnut

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Using a mixer, beat the softened butter with the egg yolks, the vanilla sugar and 50 g of the sugar. Lightly whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt and 100 g of sugar and beat until it forms soft peaks. Mix the flour, hazelnuts, the freshly ground poppy seeds and the baking powder. Using a wooden spoon incorporate the flour and poppy seed mix, followed by the apple and the whisked egg whites. Grease the moulds (5 cm in diameter) with the softened butter and sprinkle the insides with a little flour or nutmeg. Fill with the mix and cook in the oven at 180°C for 20 minutes.

CHESTNUTS

    The chestnut is a highly estimated and nutritious fruit and is for this reason frequently used in the flavorsome cuisine in north Italy. The chestnuts are also referred to as the “cereal that grows on the tree”. With good reason, as this fruit has been known for its nutritiousness since ancient times. In addition, for a very long period of time it used to be the staple diet of farmers.

Some time ago mountain farmers used to cultivate fruits that in harvest period could simply be collected. One of them was the chestnut which, in the course of time took pride of place in the gastronomy of the Trentino Alto Adige region. There are numerous dishes in the cuisine of the Trentino Alto Adige, prepared on the basis of chestnuts. These plates range from starters to sweets such as chestnut creams, chocolate, “marron glace” (iced chestnuts) to candied fruits, treacle, chestnut beer and liquors. And last but not least, the roasted chestnuts.

The chestnut harvest period goes from the end of August to well into November. In this period, the delicious fruit is frequently celebrated and highlighted in village fairs and other events.

All this amazing products come from the natural territory. This is primarily bacause of the excellent climatic conditions and the richness of the soil, and also because of the care that we take to follow nature's rules, both for organic and integrated cultivation.

Never forget Boletus edulis, better known as Penny bun, or Porcino! Meaning of purity of the Mountains and ground. Boletus edulis, like its name implies, is an edible mushroom. Italian chef and restaurateur Antonio Carluccio has described it as representing "the wild mushroom par excellence", and hails it as the most rewarding of all fungi in the kitchen for its taste and versatility. Considered a choice edible, particularly in France, Germany and Italy, it was widely written about by the Roman writers Pliny the Elder and Martial, although ranked below the esteemed Amanita caesarea.

So, if you decide to see, taste and smell these Masterpieces of Nature what best way to get where they grow up...North of Italy, especially Trentino and South Tirol are the core of them, pure environment colorfully and unique tastes!!

Choose a destination that cares of it, where sustainability is a Must and Nature is untouched!! 

We have found one for you:

http://www.italienoekoreisen.com/#!feldmilla/c1z9i

ECOLOGICO TOURS, UMBRIA

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Walking into the nature without haste and by following the own rhythm, admiring breathtaking views, climbing sinuous hills and breathing fresh air, discovering lush forests and flourishing valleys or walking alongside lively streams and observing them ending in deep blue lakes. 

This is the philosophy of Ecological Tours that since 2000 organizes short trips in bicycle and excursions on greenways among beautiful landscapes which will lead you discovering historic and eternal sites and other natural and artistic beauties in Umbria, Toscana and within the whole Italian and European territory. 

The safety level of our tours is checked and verified every year by our collaborators and competent guides licensed by the Region. Each tour (as, for instance, the bike short trips and the hiking’s activities) could be organized as a group tour or an individual one - each one assisted by the telephonic or the frontal assistance of our collaborators, and with the possibility of choosing between different difficulty levels.

Ecological Tours is a travel agency that aims to protect the surrounding territory and to encourage a responsible tourism. Our agency supports the non-profit association Trees For All and in particular its project in the Philippines for the restocking of woods and the consequent reduction of the Earth pollution’s level and the no-profit organization World Bicycle Relief which works in poor and disadvantage country with the purpose of distributing bikes and transforming them in sources of life and progress. 

In 2011, Ecological Tours won the Premio Turismo Cultura awarded by the Unesco, a price assigned to travel operators and agencies that organize and promote trips in destinations recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. 

Indeed, besides to the naturalistic trips and excursions, Ecoligical Tour offers tours and visits in historical villages and cities that own artistic architectural heritage of rare value, where it is still possible to listen and to have conversations with the locals in order to learn about histories and traditions, or simply to take a break for tasting typical delicacies and wines made by local producers, authentic “sources” of the true gastronomic taste! 

In addition, we promote events with the aim of creating synergy between people and territory as we are convinced that what is surrounding us today is our present but yet the future for the next generations and preserving it and taking care of it, it really means living in a better world.