9-15 marzo 2011

The culinary tradition of Massa and Carrara derives from the century-old people’s
traditions and is connected to surf and turf products which connote the Apuan Alps
cooking habits. The gastronomical glory of the territory is the famous “lardo di Colonnata”,
white and delicious, obtained from the pork rind, the poorer under the skin part of the pork.
People from the Apuan mountains keep it – for better preserving it – into duly salted basins.
Melted lard is used as a condiment instead of olive oil, or is used added to the minestrone
as a seasoning. The lard is excellent together with bread, and it can be served with sliced
tomatoes and seasoned with oil and oregano. Among first courses we can appreciate
the so called “Tordelli”, ravioli filled with meat, but no one can forget the triumph
of “Taglierini” with hand-made pasta. Among other local delicious plates it is worth
mentioning the Polenta and marinated stockfish, which in the past was considered as a
“snack” to be served with a quarter of a liter of good wine. Sweet flour is used, as used
almost everywhere in Tuscany, for preparing the so called “Castagnaccio”. however “the”
dessert is the rice cake, which was once related to the patron saint San Ceccardo. There
are three markets which are the time-keeping point of Carrara: the one in Piazza delle Erbe,
twice a month, which proposes local products; the one named “Campagna Amica”, held every
Wednesday in Piazza Duomo, enriched by fruits and vegetables “a chilometro zero” (which
literally means “shopping at zero kilometers). Every first Saturday of the month piazza Alberica
hosts “Carrara in fiore” (that is to say “Flowery Carrara”) a breeding-ground meeting exhibition.
Among the glories of Carrara, besides the anarchic belonging to the past, we would like to
mention the contemporary figures belonging to the sport. Specifically we would like to remind
the football players such as “long John” Chinaglia, Gigi Buffon and Cristiano Zanetti. A famous
Carrara native is Maurizia Cacciatori. until a couple of years ago she has been the emblem of
the italian volley and is now a television sport anchorwoman.
27