Mirko's Blog
Chestnuts and Butternuts
Posted on Nov 1, 2009 by Mirko Pasta Family
Butternut Squash
Our Chef, Mirko Di Giacomantonio is from the region of Abruzzo, Italy, and the smells and flavors of that region are those captured at Mirko Pasta. Tutti i Santi/All Saints Day is celebrated November 1-2 in Italy where the street vendors begin selling roasted chestnuts. The first week of November in Abruzzo offers the Sagra della Castagna & Sagra Sagra della Caldarrosta (Festival of the Chestnut and Roasted Chestnuts).
And, speaking of nuts, a specialty of Mirko is the Tortelli di Zucca/Butternut Squash Ravioli. This squash peaks in the autumn months, so you won’t find it on our menu year-round. The beige colored vase shaped and hard exterior of the butternut squash is deceiving, because inside, you will find that the “flesh” is fine-textured, deep-orange with a sweet, nutty flavor. Imagine….Freshly cooked butternut squash, stuffed into just-made raviolis and then placed before you a few minutes later, hot and covered in a rich, creamy sauce.
Buon Appetito!
italian restaurant athens, ga, italian dining athens, butternut squash, ravioli, autumn vegetables, butternut squash recipe, italian dining watkinsville ga, italian food watkinsville ga, italian restaurants watkinsville ga
