The cold on the hills of Garda does not sting, it is as sweet as a freshly baked “fogassa” cake.
The warmth that rises from the lake spreads warmly over the vineyards, and walking is a pleasure to be savoured calmly, like waiting for the festivities that light up the village of Garda.
Christmas is celebrated here “among the olive trees”, with a seasonal market where you can find the authentic flavours of the Garda area and its surroundings, and many craft products for the perfect gift to put under the tree.
Christmas is approaching and fogassa cakes and San Vigilini get wrapped to end up under the fir trees of relatives and friends all over the Peninsula. And needless to say, Verona is not far away, and even in Garda the centrepiece of the festive table shines with the strictly handmade Pandoro, a local pride known throughout the world.
In home kitchens or restaurant kitchens, it is the ideal time for more demanding and caloric menus, consisting of “land based” dishes such as gnocchi, risottos or roasts, enhanced by hearty reds such as Valpolicella and Amarone, or softened by the delicacy of a glass of Custoza. And for the festive season, you cannot miss the Garda DOC bubbles.
Natale si avvicina e fogassa dolci e San Vigilini si infiocchettano per finire sotto gli abeti di parenti e amici in tutta la Penisola. E nemmeno a dirlo, Verona non è lontana, e anche a Garda al centro della tavola delle feste risplende il “pan de l’oro”, rigorosamente artigianale, orgoglio locale conosciuto in tutto il mondo.
Nelle cucine di casa o in quelle dei ristoranti è il momento ideale per menu più impegnativi e calorici, composti da piatti “di terra” come gli gnocchi, i risotti o gli arrosti, esaltati da rossi di carattere come il Valpolicella e l’Amarone, o attenuati dalla delicatezza di un calice di Custoza. E per le feste, non possono mancare le bollicine del Garda DOC.