"Aperti i XX Giochi olimpici invernali!"
With the these words, Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi declared the Games of the XX Olympiad open. For the next two weeks, the world’s attention will be focused on Turin, Italy, and the drama that will unfold. Medals will be awarded, medals will be stripped away, dreams will be realized, dreams will be crushed … I love the Olympics!
Unless dough-kneading becomes an official Olympic event in my lifetime, I will never be participating in Olympic games. While I may not be a gifted athlete, I have always admired those individuals who can perform athletic feats. For me, the Olympics are the equivalent of a never-ending table laden with all the glorious dishes that I yearn for.
For this reason, come Olympics-time, I always check my schedule and mark down the dates of events I do not want to miss. This time, as I looked at my calendar, I was struck by the idea that the Olympics could be a wonderful opportunity to learn about food.
Turin (Torino in Italian) is the capital city of one of Italy’s most beautiful regions: Piedmont. Located in northwestern Italy, Piedmont is surrounded by the Alps on three sides. It shares a border with France and Switzerland, and the Italian regions of Lombardy, Liguria, Emilia Romagna and Valle d’Aosta. Home to a rich culinary tradition that is breathtaking in scope, Piedmont is famous for being the birthplace of the Slow Food Moment and for wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. It is a region whose inhabitants maintain their link to the land.
Why not take this opportunity to learn about the food of Piedmont, in all its glory? To help in this quest, I’ve added a list to my blog called the 2006 Winter Olympics. This list features links, which I hope you will find useful in navigating your way through the next two weeks. This list includes links to the official site of the 2006 Torino Olympics and the official site of the Region of Piedmont.
While I have not forgotten my commitment to chocolate this month, I hope that you will join me over the next few weeks as we spend some time "traveling" through Piedmont in search of food!
So pack your bags and ready your palates, the journey to Piedmont begins tomorrow …
Ciao!
16 comments
Rorie
Such fun! I always love to daydream about travelling through Italy!
Silversara
Ivonne, how exciting! I can’t wait for the travels to the Piedmont region
Actually, I’ve been going to Italy for the past four years for little trips, but I’ve never been to Piedmont. This year, I’m going to Bra for the first for Slow Food on Film http://www.slowfoodonfilm.it – I’m very excited!!!
Ivonne
Hi Rorie,
I hope you enjoy the coming two weeks. We’ll have to dream our way across Piemonte.
Sara,
How exciting for you! I certainly hope that you will blog all about this incredible event!
Anne
What a great idea !
Will be – virtually – travelling with you. I have spent a couple of nights in Ivrea, when travelling down to Tuscany.
And I confirm : there’s much more than tartuffi bianchi and Barolo in this beautiful region !
Ivonne
Hi Anne,
Wonderful! I hope you enjoy the voyage!
Paz
Oh, this is a great idea and I look forward to reading what you post on it. I enjoy watching the Olympics very much, too — from the opening with all the countries marching into the stadium to the games, to the closing. Everyone’s excitment is infectious. I once knew an Olympic swimmer from Togo. All the athletes have intereting stories.
Yes, let the games begin!
Paz
Cannella
E se unisci Torino e il cioccolato? Obbligatorio far qualcosa con i Gianduiotti!!! Una Chocolate Feast II!!!
ejm
Isn’t this a happy coincidence?! I was watching the luge competition this morning and thinking about the fact that Torino must be risotto country and wondering what other foods would be regional specialties. I look forward to your virtual journey of Piedmont
-Elizabeth
jasmine
Hi Ivonne
I missed going to Torino when I was in Italy a few years back (I had a handful of days and concentrated on Toscana). A few colleagues have gon to Torino for the Games. I hope to get an email or two.
I keep thinking of going back to see other parts, including Venice. Until I can get my act together I shall travel through my copy of Silver Spoon.
j
Ivonne
Ciao Paz,
Thank you for your encouragement. I absolutely love the Olympics … and how interesting that you knew an Olympic swimmer!
Ciao Cannella!
Hai preso la parola dall mia bocca! Certamente faro’ qualcosa con Torino e il cioccolato!
Hello Elizabeth,
Thank you so much for visiting Cream Puffs in Venice. I imagine it’s very difficult to think about Italy in any fashion and not think about food!
Hi Jasmine,
How wonderful that you got to spend time in Toscana! I’ve never been to Torino either. We’ll “go” there together!
barbara
Great minds think alike! Yesterday I browsed my Time-Life book on Italy for exactly that reason. I’ll look forward to your postings as I’m not up to cooking and posting too much at the moment.
Ivonne
Hello Barbara!
Great minds do think alike. I’m so glad you’ll be joining me on my little “trip” … I couldn’t ask for better company!
rob
Ciao Ivonne,
Mi piace sentire che fai dei piatti piemontesi per le prossime due settimane. Non ci siamo mai stati, ma vogliamo andarci nel futuro. Se vuoi assagiare un bicerin, puoi trovarlo nel centro di Toronto, a Soma.
La tua famiglia viene dal Piemonte?
Love your idea. Hope you enjoy the next two weeks. Safe to assume you’ll be watching some Olympic hockey?
Ivonne
Roberto!
Come parli e scrivi l’italiano bene! Non me l’aspettavo … I had no idea you were fluent!
)
I have never been to Piemonte, unfortunately, and I know little about it. This was the reason I decided that the Olympics would be a great opportunity to learn.
My family is not from Piemonte. My mom is from Calabria (south) and my father is from Le Marche (central/on the Adriatic).
I will most definitely enjoy the next two weeks and yes … I will be watching hockey!
Jeanne
Barbara & Ivonne
We are on the same trip! I’m doing much the same too! I’ll be interested in what we all share. My efforts won’t be nearly as epic as what I did for the Tour de France!
Ivonne
Hi Jeanne,
The more the merrier!