Video Recipe of the Week by Lorena Merighi - How to Prepare Italian Apple Fritters

It's apple Season and our dear friend Lorena from Bella Italia Store, will show us how to make Italian Apple Fritters a true Autumn delicacy. A base Italian batter recipe enhanced with the zest of  a lemon along with the apples is a true match and a wonderful delight.




Base Ingredients

                                                              Refer to video for directions

Apples
Italian 00 flour
Sugar
Lemon (zest and juice)
egg
milk 
baking powder

Hill Towns of Southern Sicily

Ragusa

There are 3 fascinating hill towns of Southern Sicily which are characterized by a certain Sicilian Baroque style charm: Ibia, Modica and Enna.

Ibla ( Ragusa) and the San Giorgio Cathedral

Gelati Divini Ice Cream from Wines

Ibla located in the oldest part of Ragusa, and the best way to reach it is by foot. Once there, you will be thrilled by the charming streets, which lead onto cozy squares which are overpowered by buildings decorated in Baroque style. The spectacular Baroque style Duomo di San Giorgio  is the main attraction of Ibla which is located behind a large piazza which hosts many cafes, shoppes and gelateria's. One particular gelateria, Gelati Divini , famous by selling ice cream made from wines.

Modica

Conti Castle

Modica is an elegant town visited by very few tourists. By climbing the hill ,which many of the streets are characterized stairways, you will have the opportunity to look at the beautiful valley below. Just like Ibla, this charming hill town is also characterized by the Baroque style buildings and churches and for a fact Modica is known for maintaining the original Sicilian Baroque style, which is highlighted in the San Giorgio and San Pietro Cathedral. Other highlights of Modica include: Castello di Conti (Conti Castle) Church of St. Mary Bethlehem, The Garibaldi  Theatre, and Mercedari Palace which is home to a museum and a library.

Federico Tower (Enna)

Enna

Enna is too big to be called a town, due to it's location, situated in the center of the Island, and it's often overlooked by travelers. Enna is about 3100 feet above sea level and offers one of the most impressive views of Sicily therefore has earned the name Belvedere which means " Beautiful View". The Castello di Lombardia (Lombardy Castle), The Duomo (Cathedral), Palazzo Varisano  and Torre di Federico (Federico Tower) are among the many monuments to visit in Enna. Palazzo Varisano is home to  the archaeological museum which hosts many materials from the copper age.


Photos credit: Google

Roman Style Pumpkin Soup

The Roman style pumpkin soup is all about leeks and pumpkin which are pureed together to create a creamy velvety soup  and where chopped mint brings out the flavor. If you prefer a thicker version of this soup by all means add potatoes. 
The recipe calls for boiling the pumpkin, if you prefer a richer taste then you have the option to roast the pumpkin till tender then puree with the leeks.

Ingredients for 4:

• 2 cups of diced (cubes) pumpkins
• 1/2 cup of potato cubes ( optional for thickness)
• 1/2 cup of chopped leek
• 1 large clove of ginger (chopped)
• 1 cup of milk
• 1/2 tsp of dried thyme
• 1 tbsp. of olive oil 
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 leaves of chopped mint or parsley (for garnish)

Place olive oil in a pan and saute the leek and garlic for  about 1 minute.
Add the pumpkin and  if you prefer the potato  and saute for an additional 3 minutes.
Add the milk and 1 cup of hot water,stir and simmer on a slow flame till the pumpkin and  potatoes are  fully cooked.
Allow the mixture to cool completely and then puree in a blender.
Combine the pureed mixture and thyme together with 2 cups of hot water in a pot and 
then  season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
Serve hot, garnished with the mint or parsley or even roasted pumpkin seeds.

Serve with a slice of bruschetta brushed with olive oil and garlic.Pumpkin soup pairs well with the following wines: Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay

Photo courtesy: Google