Skip to main content

SIENA FOR FOODIES: FRIED ARTICHOKES IN THE CRETE SENESI


Fried artichokes, Tuscan ham and cheese, fresh broad beans and a glass of wine in Chiusure




Tuscans love to fry. Deep fry, that is. But not just fish and chips. In fact an Italian proverb says "fritte sono buone anche le scarpe" - even shoes taste good when deep fried. I prefer sage leaves though - picked in our garden and straight into the pan. But the most sublime thing in I can think of is a plate of deep fried artichokes in spring -  best if accompanied by a glass of Italy's Franciacorta sparkling wine (but I will also put up with a dry white wine or simply Champagne). 


If you have a car, skip lunch in Siena and drive through the hills of the Crete Senesi to join the crowd at Chiusure - Tuscany's Mecca for artichokes lover. 
Arrive early (not after 12 pm), as parking around the small hilltop village becomes a nightmare. In fact I've just seen that the contrada della Giraffa (Siena's neighborhood of the giraffe) will be also there for lunch on Liberation Day on the 25th. Which explains the parking problem.

Hills around Chiusure



CHIUSURE IN PIAZZA: 25th to the 28th of April, 2013
Four days dedicated to Tuscan wine and food pleasures, Chiusure's famous artichokes and countryside walks. 

 HOW TO GET THERE? Chiusure can be reached as a scenic round trip from Siena (ca. 45 minutes each way by car only). Start the drive via the road that leads to Asciano and have your camera at the ready. The hills of the Crete Senesi are at their most stunning during spring. After your lunch in Chiusure drive on towards Buonconvento, and take the time to stop over at the Monte Oliveto Maggiore abbey to pay tribute to Signorelli's and Sodoma's frescoes depicting the life of St. Benedict in the main cloister of the monastery.

 The monks of Monte Oliveto Maggiore also produce their own brand of herbal teas and digestive grappa - you may want to invest in one or the other in case you've overdid it with the deep fried artichokes in Chiusure. 

 WHAT ELSE? Have a stroll in Buonconvento before heading back to Siena. The beautiful little town sports two great museums, which take part in the #invasionidigitali grass root movement on Saturday 27th of April. In fact another cultural invasion is planned at the Monte Oliveto Maggiore abbey on Sunday the 28th at 4 pm. So give these Italians a hand in claiming back the country's artistic beauties.   
A white Tuscan dirt road in the Crete Senesi leading to Chiusure

Labels:
Location: 53041 Chiusure SI, Italia

Popular posts from this blog

SIENA AND THE MONTE DEI PASCHI CRISIS

The world's oldest banking institute (founded in 1472) has made it into the media big time since 2012. But not because of its longevity.  Wondering what the financial nigh tmare is all about? I'm still trying to figure it out - just as everybody else who's living in Southern Tuscany.   The crisis of the Monte dei Paschi bank isn't just about MPS employers losing their jobs and museums their funding (which on its own is already bad enough). But it's also about research, universities and even kindergartens. Basically every age group in and around Siena will be affected in some way or another by the drying up of the streams of money that supported most social and cultural aspects of Southern Tuscany.  Right, I would look worried too. Palazzo Spannocchi, part of the MPS HQ in piazza Salimbeni Want to know more?  The art newspaper has published a well researched article in April, which explains some of the artier effects of the bank's crisis.  
Read on...»

BEST BIKE RENTAL IN SIENA

Villa Catignano: one of the many beautiful places an e-bike can get you to from Siena A few years ago, I interviewed an American writer , who during her month-long stay in Siena whizzed through the city on a bicycle. This was an unusual sight - vespas are the two-wheelers of choice in Siena's hilly town center, not bikes like in mostly flat Florence.  But the invention of e-bikes is about to change this. The city of Siena has installed an  electric bike sharing program which is functioning well. However, it's mostly aimed at locals and residents, as its set-up is a little complicated for visitors who only stay a couple of days in town. Hence, for tourists, the best bike rental options in Siena are with the privately owned shops which supply bycicles of every size and type for a day or two or an entire week.  Giulia from Julskitchen.com cycling through the hills of Siena Siena Bike Shop rents out racing bycicles, hybrid and e-bikes and is a great optio...
Read on...»

DRIVING IN ITALY AND ROAD FINES IN SIENA

Thought if the Italians do it, you can do it too? These were the good old times. Speeding, bad parking and drink-driving are no longer part of the Italian way of life. Okay, the rules of the road still aren't as strictly followed as in Northern Europe, but things have definitely changed during the past decade.  With driving being more strict now, it's only right that paying your fine should become easier too. Siena and many other of Italy's tourist destinations have finally installed online payment. Click through to the website of Siena's town council  to get done with it right away.
Read on...»