Italian way to cool down

caffe shakerato, I asked for milk in mine

When the temps rise here in Italy, the land that frowns on air-conditioning.... there are several ways to beat the heat. One of course is to get thee to a gelato shop NOW! I have some of my favorites in Florence listed on my website. There is one in almost every neighborhood, I sugges ordering the smallest size and eating more often!

There are several different things you can order:
gelato- which is ice cream
semifreddo- a semi-frozen whipped cream
granita- a traditional sicilian treat, icy and more liquidy that you can eat and sip! I adore coffee granita with whipped cream- the sicilian breakfast!

Another way to cool down is switching to a caffe' shakerato- a shot of coffee, shaken over ice.
Usually done with ice, I have also had it with gelato at my local coffee bar in Certaldo.

You can find the recipes on my newsletter on the website.

It is also possible to order your gelato, affogato, which means drowned. Some of my favorite ways to drown my ice cream are:

A vanilla tartufo( and premade ice cream "truffle" sold in most bars and some restaurants.) with a shot of expresso.

A chocolate tartufo with Jack Daniels.

Apple sorbet with Calvado's ( served at Cafaggio's on via Guelfa)

Lemon sorbet with Vodka- if blended, a version of Sgroppino- a Venetian after dinner drink/dessert.

Another favorite which is harder to find is the semifreddo sometimes called a mattonella in Florence. Whipped cream is sweetened and toasted nuts are added. It is frozen in a loaf pan and cut into slices to serve. Tuscan Dai-Dai makes theirs with pinenuts.

I adore the semifreddo di mandorle I get in Chianti at Oltre il Giardino, but the chef Anna won't share her recipe. I just returned from Sicily where I had it in several places and finally found a printed recipe. Worth the price of the book.

Semifreddo di Mandorle

Almond Semifreddo

2 cups fresh whipping cream
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 oz, chopped toasted almonds


Mix the egg yolk with the sugar.
Add the whipping cream a little at a time.

Whip cream until stiff.

Fold in the chopped toasted almonds and freeze.

Serve as is or topped with a chocolate or caramel sauce.



I am waiting now for the watermelon to make my watermelon granita!( recipe is in the sidebar) or you may want to try my friend David Lebovitz's take on my recipe, where he made "spiked" popsicles.

With June arriving- I have already had my first Panzanella, the Tuscan bread salad and also tuna and bean salad.

Get ready to enjoy the season. Buon appetito!