Emilia-Romagna Archives - All Around Italia

Parmigiano Reggiano vs. Parmesan

S P — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 20:17:32 +0000

Parmigiano Reggiano vs. Parmesan? It isn’t a question of Italian vs. English language. They are two different things!

How so?

Let’s start with what’s most important: where they’re made.

Parmigiano Reggiano is exclusively made in specific parts of Emilia-Romagna. This region of Italy is the only place in the world where the right ingredients and conditions exist.

Over one thousand years ago, monks in Emilia-Romagna began making the Parmigiano Reggiano. To this day, producers still follow the monk’s traditional methods.

Currently, the European Union rigorously regulates every aspect of Parmigiano Reggiano’s production process. Until each wheel of cheese has passed all quality tests, it is not officially Parmigiano Reggiano.

If you spend time in Emilia-Romagna, you will never again think of Parmigiano Reggiano as just a pasta topper.

People all over Italy enjoy chunks of Parmigiano Reggiano during aperitivo. It is the star ingredient of many dishes. Moreover, it’s good for you!

Parmigiano Reggiano is rich in vitamins. After running 5K’s in Italy, I would happily find individually-packaged Parmigiano Reggiano at the refreshment tables.

During the production process, Parmigiano Reggiano loses its lactose, making it easily digestible. When transitioning babies to solids, many parents give Parmigiano Reggiano as their first foods.

In 2012, when I lived in Emilia Romagna, I visited a caseificio – an experience I highly recommend. There, I witnessed how much hard work goes into each wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano.

That same year, I witnessed a tragedy for the producers. An earthquake threw wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano-to-be from the shelves where they were maturing. Since the wheels had not undergone the entire process, they could not be considered Parmigiano Reggiano. As a result, the cheese was sold for very low prices. Years of work ruined.

Although Parmigiano Reggiano producers risk threats like earthquakes, their biggest threat is not from Mother Nature. It’s Parmesan.

Think I am being dramatic? Really, I am not.

Because the name Parmesan is not regulated in the USA, any cheese can be called Parmesan. Unfortunately, most Parmesans are pre-grated, commercial products with little in common with Parmigiano Reggiano. “Knock off” Parmesans profit from Parmigiano Reggiano’s good name, and, in many ways, take advantage of uninformed consumers.

If you want to buy real Parmigiano Reggiano, look for the European Union’s red and yellow Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) symbol on the package. If you do not see this symbol, the cheese you are about to purchase is not authentic Parmigiano Reggiano.

So, there you have it. The “King of Cheese” is Parmigiano Reggiano PDO and no other Parmesan.

Italian Vocabulary related to Parmigiano Reggiano

All Around Italia helps you learn about Italy and also learn Italian! Here are some words related to Parmigiano Reggiano. Have you heard these before?

Quello vero è uno solo. – The one and only.

Il motto del Parmigiano Reggiano è ‘quello vero è uno solo.’/ The motto of Parmigiano Reggiano is “The one and only”.

le scaglie – shavings, chips, slivers

Il Parmigiano Reggiano va tagliato a scaglie. / Parmigiano Reggiano should be cut in chunks.

grattugiato – grated

Vorrei un po’ di Parmigiano Reggiano grattugiato sul mio risotto. / I would like some Parmigiano Reggiano grated on my risotto.

Recipe - Try Parmigiano Reggiano Sweet Cream

Bring Italy into your everyday life, and break the stereotype of Parmigiano Reggiano as just a pasta topper!

The Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano has a great website, largely available in both Italian and English. The site explains the history and production process of Parmigiano Reggiano. If you’re planning a trip, it also provides information on caseifici (dairies).

The Consortium’s website also includes tons of inventive recipes featuring Parmigiano Reggiano in appetizers, main dishes, desserts and snacks.

As a lover of dolci, I wanted to share this unique dessert recipe with you! It isn’t translated into English on the site. Below is my English translation. The original recipe from the Consortium in Italian is here.

Ingredients

½ cup of grated Parmigiano Reggiano

1 pint of heavy cream

4 egg yolks

2 tablespoons of sugar

lemon zest

raspberries

Preparation

Melt the grated Parmigiano Reggiano over low heat with the heavy cream and lemon zest. Continue to stir for around 5 minutes.

Beat the egg yolks and sugar together. Add them to the cream, continuing to stir until it begins to simmer.

Fill small jars or cups with the cream and let cool (in my experience, for at least 3 hours). Garnish with raspberries to your liking.

Buon appetito!

The post Parmigiano Reggiano vs. Parmesan appeared first on All Around Italia.

A Porticoed Walk to Bologna’s San Luca

S P — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 17:21:08 +0000

Just outside of Bologna’s city center, you will find the longest stretch of porticoes in the world - a 3.8-kilometer covered walkway curving up the Colle della Guardia to the Basilica of San Luca.

Known as the “walk to San Luca” by locals of Bologna, the walk is actually something more … it is a pilgrimage.

The Basilica is home to the icon of the Madonna con Bambino attributed to Saint Luke the Evangelist. According to legend, a pilgrim from Turkey originally brought this icon to Italy. Since 1433, the icon has had a special importance for the city of Bologna.

In 1433, exceptionally heavy rains threatened to ruin crops in the area and cause a famine. Desperately entreating the Blessed Mother for assistance, the people organized a procession to bring the icon from the hill to the city center. As soon as the Madonna con Bambino reached the city, the rain stopped! It was the Miracolo della Pioggia – the Miracle of the Rain.

Every May since 1433, the Bolognesi have honored the Madonna of San Luca by bringing her icon back from the hill to the city center.

This yearly procession inspired the construction of the covered walkway for pilgrims making the trip up or down the Colle delle Guardia.

The pilgrimage to the Basilica is a journey. Two kilometers are uphill … and it’s a steep uphill. The pathway twists and turns to the top of the Colle della Guardia like a slithering serpent. With 666 arches, the symbolism of the Madonna crushing the devil is powerful.

Andiamo a San Luca?

In addition to being a destination for pilgrims, the walk to San Luca is a part of everyday life for many Bolognesi.

When I lived in Bologna, I did the walk many times with friends to have a picnic on the Colle della Guardia where there is a fantastic view of Bologna and the colli Bolognesi. I also did many solo walks and runs, as do other exercisers looking for a challenge.

At the top of the walkway, a solitary cross greets pilgrims before they reach the Basilica. After having completed the journey and made it through the steepest part right at the end, religious or not, it certainly does feel like a holy reward.

Italian Vocabulary related to San Luca

All Around Italia helps you learn about Italy and also learn Italian! Here are some words related to San Luca. Have you heard these before?

il pellegrinaggio – pilgrimage

Abbiamo fatto il pellegrinaggio fino a San Luca. / We did the pilgrimage to San Luca.

in salita – uphill

La passeggiata fino a San Luca è molto in salita. / The walk to San Luca is very uphill.

il trenino – miniature, touristic train

Da dove parte il trenino per San Luca? Parte da Piazza Maggiore. / From where does the touristic train leave for San Luca? It leaves from Piazza Maggiore.

Watch a Video about San Luca

Virtually experience the walk to San Luca. Bring Italian into your everyday life.

Want to learn more about the walk to San Luca and the Basilica? I recommend watching this documentary on youtube. It is directed by Pupi Avati – a famous film director hailing from Bologna.

In 55 minutes, the documentary explains the history of the pilgrimage and showcases its special place in the hearts of so many.

The video is in Italian. For subtitles in Italian, just click the the closed caption “cc” button on Youtube.

A great way to immerse yourself in language and culture!

Visit Bologna's San Luca

If you plan on visiting the Basilica di San Luca, see the hours the church is open here.

If the steep uphill walk is not for you, visiting San Luca with a touristic train is a great option. We took the train with my grandmother. It was a big hit! Find more info here.

The post A Porticoed Walk to Bologna’s San Luca appeared first on All Around Italia.

Discovering Bologna’s Lucio Dalla

S P — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 14:06:27 +0000

When did I first "meet" Lucio Dalla?

I’d been living in Bologna for several weeks when my Bolognesi friends excitedly told me they’d just seen Lucio in Piazza Maggiore.

“Chi è Lucio?”, I asked.

“Lucio Dalla!”

“Chi è Lucio Dalla?”

Looks of surprise … I hadn’t heard of Lucio Dalla? Not only was I living in his city, I was living on via D’Azeglio – his street!

Lucio Dalla, they explained, is a singer-songwriter from Bologna. He’s famous in Italy, and all over the world for his unique style of music.

Although none of my friends actually knew Lucio, they spoke of him with pride, almost like he was a real friend of theirs.

That evening, I went back to my apartment – just up the street from Signor Lucio’s – and started listening to his music. Caruso, Piazza Grande, Anna e Marco, Attenti al Lupo …

Initially, I have to admit … I was not convinced.

Some of the songs were catchy … others just sounded strange.

What genre was Lucio's music?

It was like a mix of pop, jazz and even some random opera-like moments.

Still, I kept listening. The more I was able to decipher the lyrics, I realized that Lucio was singing a lotttt about Bologna. Clearly, he loved his city.

Shortly after I was introduced to Lucio’s music, he suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. I had just discovered Lucio’s love of Bologna. Now, I was about to witness Bologna’s love of Lucio.

For weeks, crowds flooded via D’Azeglio to pay homage outside of Lucio’s home. Navigating the masses to get to my apartment, I waded my way through a sea of emotion: people singing Lucio’s songs, calling his name, sharing memories of him and his music.

During Lucio’s funeral, Piazza Maggiore overflowed with mourners. The size of the crowd was impressive, but the feeling in the air was even more impressive. It was as if part of the city had been lost.

For the remainder of my time in Bologna, Lucio's songs flowed into my life.

The songs began to naturally color and accompany my days.

I related to the subject of many of Lucio’s songs – life in Bologna. Slowly, I began to develop a real and special connection to Lucio and his city. It almost began to feel like a friendship. Although Lucio was gone, I felt like I was just getting to know him.

Now that I’m back in the States, I am so grateful for the interconnectivity between Lucio and his beloved Bologna. Without ever having to get on a plane, he is able to transport me to my beloved Bologna … through his music.

Italian Vocabulary related to Lucio Dalla

All Around Italia helps you learn about Italy and also learn Italian! Here are some words related to Lucio Dalla. Have you heard these before?

il cantautore/la cantautrice – singer-songwriter

Lucio Dalla è un cantautore italiano di Bologna. / Lucio Dalla is a singer-songwriter from Bologna.

mancare – literally “to miss”; also “to pass away”, a less harsh alternative to morire (to die)

Quando Lucio Dalla venne a mancare improvvisamente nel 2012, una folla di fan bolognesi si radunò a casa sua in via D’Azeglio per settimane per onorarlo. / When Lucio Dalla passed away unexpectedly in 2012, a crowd of Bolognesi fans gathered by his house in via D’Azeglio for weeks to honor him.

grande – great, as in large or awesome; in Bologna, you will often hear the exclamation “Grande!” meaning “Great!” or “Awesome!”

Nella canzone “Le Tue Ali Bologna” di Lucio Dalla ed altri collaboratori, parte del ritornello è “Tu sei grande Bologna” . / In the song “The Wings of Bologna” by Lucio Dalla and other collaborators, part of the chorus is “You are great, Bologna”.

Listen to Lucio Dalla's Music about Bologna

Bring Italian into your everyday life by listening to Lucio's music.

DARK BOLOGNA – This fun and quirky song released in 2006, late in Lucio’s career, is about Bologna. It mentions many aspects of the city: never getting rained on thanks to the porticos, the soccer stadium, a good slice of pizza at Altero, the local newspaper il Resto del Carlino, the church of San Luca.

To best experience the song, I recommend this Youtube video, which includes images of Bologna. The video doesn’t include the lyrics and isn’t closed captioned. If you’d like to follow along, you can find the lyrics here.

PIAZZA GRANDE – Released in 1976, Piazza Grande is one of Lucio Dalla’s most famous songs. It is from the perspective of a man who has made Piazza Grande his home.

You may be wondering if Piazza Grande is a real place. It is … it’s just not called Piazza Grande. The song refers to Bologna’s Piazza Cavour, nearby Lucio’s childhood home. Many mistakenly think it refers to Piazza Maggiore – Bologna’s largest piazza. Piazza Maggiore, however, does not have grass and benches, as mentioned in the song. Piazza Cavour does.

Regardless of whether you’re in Piazza Cavour or Piazza Maggiore (or anywhere else in the world!), Piazza Grande is a lovely song to enjoy! You can listen and follow along with the lyrics on Youtube.

LE TUE ALI BOLOGNA – This simple ode to Bologna was released in 1988 by Lucio Dalla and three other famous musicians from the city: Gianni Morandi, Luca Carbonari, and Andrea Mingardi. The song is the official anthem of Bologna’s soccer team – of which Lucio was a huge fan.

Listen and follow along with the lyrics on Youtube. You’ll be ready to sing along the next time you find yourself in the Bologna soccer stadium!

For more of Lucio’s songs and other songs from Emilia-Romagna, check out our Emilia-Romagna Spotify playlist.

The post Discovering Bologna’s Lucio Dalla appeared first on All Around Italia.