Through the Salami Mountains to the chocolate fountain
The next summer holiday is still a long way off. Spain, Portugal and Italy are very close at Grüne Woche - with all the classics of their cuisine and a few surprises.
Italy
The Italy area in Hall 4.2 is opulent. The aroma of waffles fills the air. The flavour of the Dolce Vita can be found on every corner: Pizza or ice cream, salami and giant ham, truffles and olives, cheese variations, espresso, cappuccino and everything that goes with it.
The ‘Tette delle Monache’ cause a stir - not only because of their beauty, but also because of their spectacular translation: ‘nun's tits’. ‘Is that really there?’ asks a woman with a laugh, while her friend is already pulling out her mobile phone. The ‘Tette delle Monache’ (you could also translate them as ‘nun's breasts’, but that's as chaste as it gets) are in fact a traditional pastry from Puglia: a fluffy sponge ball filled with a Chantilly cream. There are a dozen toppings to choose from: Chocolate icing with or without coconut, biscuit crumble, berry cream or pistachios. (Hall 4.2, Stand 422)
A chocolate fountain bubbles away at ‘La Croccanteria’. Roberto Nozza pours the hot chocolate over the profiteroles, which are brand new to the range. The family business from Bergamo specialises in pistachio cream and other handmade spreads - including hazelnut cream, gianduja (hazelnut and white chocolate), salted caramel and coconut crumble. Perfect with or on their own: the homemade crispy waffles, which are only slightly sweetened so that the main ingredients come into their own. For example hazelnut, pistachio, almond-yoghurt-blueberry, caramel-peanut or muesli-ginger. If you fancy something savoury, pick up a portion of freshly deep-fried mozzarella. (Hall 4.2, Stand 421)
Portugal
Portugal fans will be provided with the basics in Hall 7.2b at Stand 110: sumptuous sandwiches with air-dried Serrano ham, with sheep's and goat's cheese or as a cheese and ham mix. And of course pasteis de nata, on its own or as a side dish - served with coffee or a glass of port. The wine is also available to buy in bottles, and cheese and ham can be taken away whole.
Portuguese cuisine is served at Galáxia Gulosa in Hall 7.2c, Stand 104: suckling pig, bifana sandwiches (steak in bread), cod cakes, pan-fried dishes and, of course, pasteis de nata. Served with Vinho Espumante (Portuguese sparkling wine), white sangria or mulled wine.
Spain
Saveurs d'Espagne (Hall 4.2, Stand 207) offers a small, fine range of Spanish products: Manchego cheese, ham and salami variations - from chorizo to salchichón to fuet, also with duck, porcini mushrooms or truffles. Plus Turrón de Jijona (soft nougat with roasted almonds) and marzipan on its own, with fruit or pistachios.
At the Casa Vinya Mallorca counter (Hall 4.2, Stand 204), there will be fine wines, Cava sparkling wine and Sangría - and a Secc au Chocolat: a Secco made from Pinot Noir grapes to which cocoa flavours are added during fermentation and which tastes surprisingly nutty.
