Food Notes: 7/1
Gelato, Italian beef, pizza, and hot dog contests
Summer is time for Gelato. We’re eating up a lot of it over here in Tuscany. So is our four-year-old. Unfortunately, he’s not so great at keeping it in his tummy, especially on the twisting Tuscan hills.
Early Romans ate snow and glacial ice in summer, flavored with honey. That early form of Italian ice helped set the stage for Renaissance-era Cosimo Ruggeri to create a frozen treat with fior di latte, an early ice cream. He was in Florence, and Catherine de' Medici enjoyed the treat enough with bring it with her to France.
We’re driving around the Chianti region between Firenze and Siena, and its the middle of a heat wave. So we’re eating galati whenever we get the chance.
While our four-year-old is content with chocolate at every stop, I’ve been experimenting with different flavors, like pistachio and Amarena cherry. My wife ordered an interesting flavor that translated to simply “Flavors of Sicily.” This was an almond flavored ice cream with candied orange and almond slices.
There’s lots of advice about how “real gelato” isn’t neon colored or topped with lots of fruit and decorations in the display case. But these are 3€ cones. That’s like pretending Mister Softee’s $5 cone isn’t real ice cream. Sure, it’s whipped up frozen milk treat, but that’s not the point. It’s cold, sweet, and refreshing.
My only advice is to everyone should have a lot more gelato.
Anyway, we’re keeping it brief this week since everyone is on vacation.
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We ate at Red River Barbecue back in January, but I finally got around to writing about it just in time for the summer season.
New Season of the Bear, Another Round of Italian Beef Articles.
First, read my history of the Italian beef. Food & Wine looks into the best options. Men’s Health looks at the shop that inspired the show. Wrigley Field has Italian Beef pizza (sounds pretty good?). WGN declares the best beef sandwich.
Pizza Bets
The price of an average NYC slice has long predicted the price of the NYC subway fare. When slice prices go up, an MTA fare hike isn’t far behind. But can tracking pizza orders around D.C. also predict global war? Yes, apparently.
Joey Chestnut Returns
Don’t miss the live hot dog eating contest on July 4, hosted by the famous Nathans. Champion Joey Chestnut will return this year after skipping last year over a disagreement with Nathan’s.