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Welcome to
Mezzogiorno
Below you will find all the products and stories we have shared on Instagram. Would you like to discover even more delicious items? Feel free to take a look at the rest of our website!
The riches of the poor cuisine: La Cucina Povera
When we talk about Southern Italian cuisine, we often refer to la cucina povera, the "poor mans' kitchen." The further you travel down the boot, the poorer the environment generally becomes. This is also reflected in the culinary traditions. However, this does not mean that the cuisine is not rich in extravagant flavors! On the contrary, a good dish from the cucina povera is truly delicious!
Read the whole story here.
Are you wondering why olive oil has become so expensive?
Have you also noticed that olive oil has become so expensive? Yes, our farmers are also affected by it. Read now in our new blog where this comes from and what we think about it!
Fiano
One of our favorite white wine grapes is the Fiano. This grape yields fruity, straw-yellow wines. Fiano has been cultivated since Roman times. For a long time, winemaking in the south of Italy was focused on quantity, and therefore Fiano, with its relatively low yield, was not popular. However, when small winemakers began to shift their focus to quality, Fiano was rediscovered. If you keep the yield per hectare low enough, you can make fantastic wines from Fiano.
How it all began
Linda in the Mezzogiorno
Just over a year ago, the beginning of Mezzogiorno became a reality. A place where lovers of Italian top products can buy directly from small-scale farmers. Today, Linda, founder of Mezzogiorno, shares her story about the start of Mezzogiorno. A story about language barriers, unparalleled hospitality, and the quest for the best guanciale!
Read her story on our new blog!
Meet the Nocerino family
Now meet our friends from Tenute Augustea. This winery is named after the ancient wine tradition found in this special wine region. The tears of Christ, together with the Vesuvius volcano, made the soil so fertile. Nowadays, Marco Vincenzo produces special, typically Vesuvian wines here.
Pachetto Amore!
Valentine's Day is here! At Mezzogiorno, we like to celebrate by giving you an unforgettable fiery evening with the Love Package! β€π₯
In Italy, it's also a celebration for singles, on February 15 they celebrate San Faustino, the day the scapolo (bachelor) celebrates his freedom.
On Valentine's Day, both valentini and scapoli can use the code πππππππππ for a 10% discount on this package. We'll make sure you can enjoy this delicious package as early as this weekend.
Alberello
Did you know that there is an alternative to growing grapes in long trellised rows? In Southern Italy, in some places, you can still see small standalone grape-trees, this method is called π’ππ£π¦π³π¦πππ° (small tree).
In small vineyards, this labor-intensive method is sporadically used. It ensures, among other things, that the plants can grow older, the grapes are better protected from the sun, and there is more air circulation. In short, it leads to top-quality grapes!
Recipe Pasta alla Gricia
Pasta alla Gricia is the lesser-known sibling of Pasta all'Amatriciana and Pasta Carbonara. It's virtually unknown in the Netherlands but incredibly delicious β finger-licking good. Although it may take some practice to perfect a flawless alla Gricia, we highly recommend it to everyone. With just 4 ingredients, this dish is a must-have in your cooking repertoire. Read here about what it is and how to make it!
Real quality takes time
Last week, we were also appalled while watching the episode of the keuringsdienst van waarde. It extensively discussed the manipulation by meat producers to produce dried meat products with the shortest possible drying periods. In South Italy, this is absolutely unacceptable. In response to the constant push for more efficiency, speed, and cheaper food production, the slow-food movement was founded in Italy. Francesco, from Salumi Martina Franca, is proudly associated with the slow-food certification.
Why you just can't beat artisanal pasta..
We fell in love with artisanal dried pasta. To us, it's the most comforting food on any given day. But there are many reasons as to why artisinal pasta is better. Read about it in our new blog!
Introduction Packages!
Do you want to get acquainted with some of our products? You can do that; we have specially curated Mezzogiorno introduction packages for Christmas!
Perfect for yourself during a Christmas dinner or to surprise someone under the Christmas tree.
If you order before December 11th, we will ensure that you receive the products in time for Christmas.
Pasta al Pomodoro Recipe
In the whirlwind of weekday dinners, few dishes provide the same comforting embrace as pasta al pomodoro. It's the easy-to-make, pantry-friendly option that requires nothing more than a quick reach into your pantry. At its core, pasta al pomodoro is the embodiment of Italian comfort food, offering a quick escape to the familiar and the delicious. Tomatoes, with their comforting savory essence and umami taste derived from high levels of glutamic acid, form the heart of this culinary symphony.
Aglianico and the Taurasi DOCG
Many people thinking of Italy's great wine regions will start with names like Tuscany and Piedmont. However, there is an area in Southern Italy that deserves just as much attention, especially for those who love robust red wines: Taurasi. This is where Aglianico grapes come to life, and where the very first DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) in Southern Italy was created in 1993. We take you on a journey into the fascinating story of Aglianico grapes and Taurasi, the flagship red wine of "the Mezzogiorno" region.
The Chef's Secret: Guanciale
If you have ever had the opportunity to explore Italian cuisine, you have probably heard of guanciale. This special ingredient is a true treasure in the world of Italian culinary arts, and it has the power to transform simple dishes into masterpieces of taste. In this blog post, we will take you on a culinary journey through the world of guanciale and show you how to use it to elevate your Italian dishes to a higher level.
A European History of the (Yellow) Tomato
The tomato - a vibrant and versatile fruit that has become an indispensable part of kitchens around the world. We can hardly imagine Italy without tomatoes, but did you know that tomatoes did not exist in Europe for a long time? Even more fascinating, the history of tomatoes in Europe began with yellow, not red, tomatoes. Italy played a crucial role in introducing the tomato, and now they can't do without it.
Pop-up & Official Opening Event!
We recently opened a pop-up store at Nieuwe Binnenweg 421 in Rotterdam! In the pop-up, you can explore all our products and sometimes discover new ones. Get to know us and our suppliers, and come visit us!
On August 5th at 4:00 PM, we'll have the official opening of the store. Everyone is invited! We'll provide snacks and drinks. The first drink is on us. Will you join us in toasting to the south of Italy?
Official opening event: August 5th at 4 PM.
Address: Nieuwe Binnenweg 421, Rotterdam.
No registration required.
Fantastic Wines from Calabria
In the northern part of Calabria, we discovered Cantine Viola; a small winery with a few hectares where fantastic wines are made. Luigi Viola started with the goal of saving the unique Moscato Passito di Saracena. Luigi's sons realized that the land at the beginning of the Pollino plateau had more to offer. They began cultivating other native Calabrian grapes to create two delicious Magliocco wines and the fantastic Biancomargherita! The wines, as well as the hospitality of the Viola family, are unparalleled!
Beautiful Wines on Vesuvius
Tenuta Augustea is a small winery on the northern side of Vesuvius in the village of Somma Vesuviana. Wine was already being produced here in the time of the ancient Romans, likely due to the fertile volcanic soil. From Naples, you can reach this beautiful place in the middle of Vesuvius National Park in just half an hour, where Marco Vincenzo Nocerino produces rare, typically Vesuvian wines.
The Zumbo Sisters on Mount Etna
In 1972, Erica and Ramona Zumbo's grandfather planted grapevines on the Santo Spirito plot on the north slope of Mount Etna, among the first to do so. Now, his granddaughters continue the tradition. Together with two young winemakers, they produce 2 red wines and one RosΓ© from Nerello Mascallese grapes, and two white wines: PinΓ©a and Settandue, the year it all began.
Organic Wines by Luigi
In 1993, Raffaele di Tuccio and his family moved from Basilicata to Cerignola in Northern Puglia. There, they started one of the first organic wineries. It was challenging in the beginning, but now, after 30 years of organic farming, the ecosystem has recovered from years of intensive agriculture. It produces fantastic wines now crafted by Raffaele's son, Luigi.
Leonardo from Partinico
Last week, we visited one of our favorite winemakers in one of our less-loved cities in Southern Italy, Partinico. What Partinico lacks, the beautiful surroundings and Leonardo Costantino make up for with his passionate, deep, and complex organic wines. Discover the unique way Leonardo makes the Cori Passito dessert wine, with grapes dried on the vine and then on racks for an intense and full flavor to savor.
Tasting Event!
Are you curious about how the products on our website really taste? Join us at our first tasting event in Rotterdam! In collaboration with the Culture Hub, we're organizing a wine tasting with 6 wines and a genuine aperitivo (delicious Italian snacks).
- When: April 30, 15:30
- Where: Culture Hub, Willem Buytewechstraat 144a, Rotterdam
- Cost: β¬ 25
Sign up via this link
Alberello Wine
Growing wine can be done in various ways. The Alberello (small tree) method is very special and is primarily found in the Primitivo region. The grapevines are not trained on trellises but allowed to grow like small trees. This allows the grapevines to live up to 80 years! The Alberello wines from Cantine Erario are no exception, and they taste like more.
Artisanal Pasta from Monopoli
What a passion for quality and craftsmanship we witnessed during our tour of the small pasta factory of the Caroli family. And the result is outstanding.
La Bella di Cerignola
These DOP olives are grown exclusively in Cerignola. We visited Giuseppe and Alice of La Bella di Cerignola S.C.A. The gigantic olives are processed with passion into delightful snacks.
The Nonnas from Bari
Everywhere in Bari, you see grandmothers selling fresh products in the narrow streets in front of their houses. Homemade Orecchiette, pasta in the shape of small ears, is the trademark of Bari. While we'd love to bring one of the nonnas to make fresh Orecchiette for you, they tend to stay close to home. Fortunately, we have a fantastic alternative. Just south of Bari, in Monopoli, the Caroli family makes Orecchiette just as delicious using traditional methods.
Wines Made by Women
Even on International Women's Day, a strong team of Pacelli women in Malvito, Calabria, continues to make organic wines.
What Makes a Good Olive Oil?
Choosing the right olive oil can sometimes be challenging. At Mezzogiorno, we understand the struggle. Just like with wine, olive oil is a matter of taste. However, there are some guidelines to help you choose. Let's start at the beginning: What makes for a high-quality olive oil?
The Best Capocollo
We visited Francesco and Stefano in the beautiful Valle dβItria in search of the best Capocollo, and we found it!
Pure and Vibrant Flavors
Near Tropea in beautiful Calabria, we found the Pata family. Following an old family recipe, they make flavored oil in a unique way! The flavor isn't added afterward but is pressed along with the olives (e.g., basil, garlic, or peppers). This results in a purer and more vibrant taste!
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