PASTORAL VISITS IN ITALY

He may have had a Spartan dinner last night of clear broth, steamed veggies and boiled beef, but the Pope's lunch today was a bit more substantial and a full Italian meal, with first and second dishes (i.e., a pasta and an entree). Here's a story translated from the Ancona edition of Il Messaggero, posted by Lella on her blog.


Typical Marche dishes for the Pope
By SERENA BUSSOTTI

LORETO - Simplicity is the common feature of the best Marche specialties served to Pope Benedict and some 100 guests at lunch today in the Apostolic Palace adjoining the Basilica.

To begin, antipasti which included typical smoked meats and sausages, grilled vegetables, and a sausage-filled pastry served with lettuce and salad greens in oil.

Guests had a choice of spinosini or pennetti (pasta types) in a tomato-and-basil sauce for the first dish.

The entree was grilled filet (from cows raised in the Marche), served with baked new potatoes in extra-virgin olive oil from a local olive press.

And for dessert, a monumental cake created by a Loreto patisserie for the Pope on the basis of rice custard and pralines.

Wines were from the Garofoli vintners of Loreto and Santacassella of Porta Potenza.

In charge of the preparation and serving was the staff of the Antonio Nebbia advanced culinary institute in Loreto, whose chefs submitted menus from with the Apostolic Legate made the choice.

Il Messaggero (Ancona), 2 settembre 2007

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I am obviously unable to keep up translating the volume of reportage on Loreto in the Italian press, but inasmuch as reports on the major events have been posted here in timely manner, I will post all other translations in this thread as I am able to.