We met Enrico Rocco (a well known cooking instructor) and the others at the bottom of the Rialto Bridge this morning. The tide was high and you can see from one of the pictures how the water is making its way into the streets. A common problem in the sinking city of Venice.
Our small group made our way around the market following Enrica as she gave us a lesson in buying our goods for the delicious creations we were about to assemble a few short hours. Scorpion fish, hop vines, red prawns, tiny artichokes, eggplant and cheeses, sauces and herbs!!! Part of the class syllabus included a stop at all'Arco, an old enoteca, for the traditional early day glass of prosecco and bacari. Bacari are small tasty nibbles that I see all over Venice displayed in glass cases --- they come in a variety of different types from artichoke, salami, fish, vegetables and tomatoes or other yummy combinations of toppings. It's customary to stand in these shops and have an early day lunch with a glass of the bubbly --- especially for the local workers. Next stop was a wine shop where we were given a lesson in local spirits.
Our toes were nearly frozen by the time we got all the way through town from the Rialto market and back across the Academia bridge to Dorsoduro. Her home is family palazzo right on the canal which has been turned into beautiful contemporary apartments. Enrica has the choice living space, one flight up.
Cooking was fun as we spent the entire afternoon preparing one or two dishes at a time eating a little here and there. Artichoke salad, eggplant with cheese and sauce, frittata with hop vines, fish with tomatoes and Greek olives and yes wine to accompany the dishes. Simply delicious!!!!!
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