Nestled in the hills near Cortona, Tuscany cookbook author Pamela Sheldon Johns and artist Johnny Johns make the most of Siena’s rich soil. They own and operate the agriturismo Poggio Etrusco where they teach cooking classes based on the local cuisine using ingredients from their own organic garden. They also produce their own organic olive oil and red wine. Cooking and eating with the pair is a genuine slow food experience that we were lucky enough to experience recently.
Our lunch menu consited of zucchini blossoms filled with fegatini flavored with vin santo, fried elderflower blossoms, roasted pork with apricots and swiss chard, and orange scented olive oil cake with strawberry gelato. As a visitor to Poggio Etrusco you too can learn to cook authentic Tuscan cuisine in beautiful surroundings.
POGGIO ETRUSCO OLIVE OIL CAKE
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups milk
zest of 3 oranges
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 350°. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar. Add the olive oil, milk, and zest; mix well.
In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to egg mixture, stirring just blend. Do not overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
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Agriturismo Poggio Etrusco is located in Siena near Montepulciano. Rooms with full kitchens are available and there is a swimming pool on the property.
Contact Information:
http://www.poggio-etrusco.com/
Agriturismo Poggio Etrusco sas
Via del Pelago 11, Loc. Fontecornino
53045 Montepulciano (SI)
Italia
Tel/Fax (39) 0578 798 370
Email: info@Poggio-Etrusco.com
Please note the time change when calling Italy (from USA: 6 hours later than EST)