Corti Brothers Newsletter for Winter 2002    Page 2  

 COTECHINO FROM MODENA, THE REAL REASON TO EAT BEANS 

COTECHINO is a special pork sausage which is one of the glories of the cuisine of the Emilia Romagna, especially Modena, Lombardy, and surrounding areas in northern Italy. It is made from leanish pork and cooked pork skins (cotene) from which it gets its name. It has only been since October, 2001, that imported Italian cotechino has been allowed in this country.

The Levoni company of Mantova, produces our cotechino which comes precooked, requiring only to be reheated in its pouch, in simmering water, for 40 minutes producing a delicious dish that you merely slice and serve. Cotechino is a rich, unctuous sausage that is traditionally served with cooked beans or lentils as an accompaniment. (It also figures in the famous boiled dinner, the bollito misto, traditionally served in Italy during cold weather.) In fact, the real reason to eat beans is that they go so well with Cotechino!

The LEVONI COTECHINO is an I.G.P. product; that is, as Cotechino di Modena, it has a protected geographical indication of origin. It must be made to have a certain flavor and texture to the exclusion of all others and come from a specified area, in this case, Modena. Cotechino, also written cotichin, coteghino, codechino, or codeghino was first described in a cookbook, the Apicio Moderno (1790) of Francesco Leonardi, chef to Catherine II of Russia.

FROG HOLLOW FARM is the name of a noted organic fruit grower in Brentwood, California, in the East Bay region. Brentwood is famous for its rich soil and agricultural productivity. Frog Hollow is owned by Al Courchesne and his partner, Becky . They produce exceptional fruit in season; the ripest fruit, not shippable as fresh fruit, Becky transforms into preserved fruit for "a taste of summer in winter." They call this "spreadable" fruit since according to law these preserves contain too little sugar to be called a "preserve," nor do they contain pectin.

Peaches and apricots are transformed; cherries are sauced in Cabernet wine; nectarines, Asian pears (nashi) and peaches become chutneys. Packed in 12 ounce jars, they are delicious preserved fruits, much as you would make at home. FROG HOLLOW PERFECTLY PEACH, ABUNDANTLY APRICOT and SAUCEY CHERRIES are perfect as desserts with a plain cake, over yoghurt, mascarpone, cottage cheese or as the filling for a crostata or galette.

NECTARINE MARMALADE and ASIAN PEAR CHUTNEY are spicy and zesty with the deep flavor of ripe fruit, ginger and spices. They are perfect for pork, smoked meats and poultry, and dishes requiring sweet/savory condiments.

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