The Italian Way with Vegetables: Summer
A hands-on cooking class culminating in dinner served with wine.
Italians love to celebrate seasonal, truly fleeting produce. They have a knack for making simple seem special, and they know how to transform a small basket of vegetables into a feast for a crowd. Viola Buitoni will show us the way.
MENU*
Caponata siciliana~Sicilian summer vegetable stew
Insalata di zucchine fresche~Fresh zucchini salad
Panzanella~Bread and tomato salad
Peperoni mignon ripieni al forno~Baked stuffed tiny peppers
Torta di peperoni, ricotta e basilico~Pepper, ricotta and basil tart
Bagnetto di pomodori freschi~Fresh tomato dip
Penne alla Norma~Penne with eggplant and ricotta salata
Garganelli con zucchine e balsamico al profumo di menta~Mint scented garganelli with zucchini and balsamic
*Menu subject to changes based on produce availability
Viola Buitoni, a direct descendant of the famed pasta and chocolate family, hails from Perugia, in the heart of Umbria. She came to the US for college, but soon after attending NYU as an economics major, she was drawn back into her genetic passion for food. She ran an Italian catering business and had a shop showcasing the best of Italian food on Madison Avenue in NYC. After moving to San Francisco in 2004 to start a family, Viola can now be found giving lectures on Italian food traditions and trends, and teaching cooking classes in collaboration with 18 Reasons, SF's Italian Cultural Institute and Italian Consulate, Cavallo Point Lodge Cooking School, Draeger’s in San Mateo and Blackhawk and Pepperberries in Eugene, OR. Since 2013, she has been a brand ambassador for Baci, the iconic Italian chocolates made by Perugina, the worldwide confectionery brand founded by her great grandfather. Viola has also produced food articles and cooking videos for MissionLocal.org. Recently, she began speaking on panels about tradition and innovation in food production and leading groups to explore local and artisanal food systems and producers in Italy.You can follow her adventures and find information on traveling with her at www.violabuitoni.com.
