Shopping In Italy
Sep 11th, 2002, 04:26 AM
#7
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In Bologna you will for sure have to buy food. Bologna is one of the capital cities of Italian food culture, and offers a lot in particular to gourmets. near the two leaning towers you will find a network of tiny streets, almost alleys, where food shops are plenty and that offer (at very high prices) the real est of food from Bologna and whole Italy. buy pisces of Parmesan cheese packed in film (you will have to unpack them and leave them for a couple of days rolled in a piece of white cloth before eating the cheese, the pieces are big, but you can keep them in the fridge. Once you have unpacked them, roll them up in white cloth and, once the excessive moiture has gone, wrap the bundle in a plastic bag). Also, buy mostarda, chutney-like candied fruits to be eaten along with boiled meats or cheeses. It is pretty hot, but it is also a very colorful and unusual gift. you can find it packed in glass jars. Another thing not to be missed are local delicious salami, some to be eaten as they are, cut in slices, and others to be boiled (like zampone) and eaten hot. Finally, do not forget to buy one tiny bottle of real aceto aromatico. It can cost up to 100 $ per bottle, but it is really worth it. THis is not a vinnegar, and it should not be used like a vinnegar, This kind of aceto is maed of boiled grape juice and must be aged for... ages!!! The result is a sweet sauce that you can eat (in tiny drops) with cheese (parmesan cheese) or meats or even strawberries.
