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Florence, as the capital city of Tuscany (and Italy in general), is foodie heaven. Really, that’s why we live here.
The simple secret lies in choosing fresh in-season ingredients and not messing about with them too much.
In this way, you have all the natural goodness in terms of vitamins and minerals, combined with delicious flavours!
One of our favourite vegetables of the moment is artichoke, and not just because they look so medieval with all those spiky bits!
Simply cut off the base and the bottom leaves, trim the top a few centimetres, remove the hardest outer leaves until you get to the softer core. Then, thinly slice with a sharp knife. Place the slices into water in which you have squeezed the juice of one lemon to stop them from turning black whilst you continue to prepare the rest of the artichokes. Once all sliced, remove from the water and dry off on some paper towels/clean cloth. Then coat with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper and serve as a delicious starter or refreshing side dish.
You can make this super-simple artichoke dish even more glamorous by drizzling balsamic glaze over the top. You can also mix in some rocket (arugula) for a more salady-side.
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To learn to make delicious, typical Italian recipes before indulging in a delicious meal made by you, we have hands-on cooking classes in Florence and Cooking Classes in a Tuscan Villa.
We also have a new Food Tour in Florence!
Enjoy tastings of traditional Tuscany products at Tuscan villa estates owned by historic Tuscan families on the Taste of Tuscany wine tour. Walk through the Tuscan countryside and visit a famous Tuscan villa on the Perfect Morning in Tuscany small-group walking tour. Expand your Tuscan horizons on the small-group Best of Tuscany tour visiting Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni too, including lunch and wine tasting at an award-winning wine estate.
To explore other areas of Italy, can check out our Artviva Walking Tours website to read more about the tours we have to offer in Florence, Rome, Venice, Cinque Terre, Umbria, Naples, Pompeii and more.
