31 Comments
Oct 22, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

Thank you for the introduction to Cecchi's wines. I could not find La Mora Toscana at our local (government-run) wine purveyor but did find their Storia di Famiglia Chianti. Very enjoyable. "Bookmarking" your creative lasagna recipe for a dinner in the not too distant future. In the meantime I will try to sleuth out Cecchi's agent in Toronto to see if La Mora can be purchased directly. I love your writing and have Cucina Povera on my bedside table. It leads to sweet dreams. :-)

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Thank you so much Shari! Storia di Famiglia is a great wine, too, I’m so happy you managed to find it. I used to put my favourite cookbooks on my bedside table, so I feel honoured to know you keep Cucina Povera there!

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Oct 20, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

Sounds so good! My conviviality food would have to be a pot of bolognese or Sunday gravy cooking all afternoon Sunday while watching our favorite football teams ... paired with a bottle of Chianti and the smell of the sauce permeating our home ... that is pure heaven for me

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Oct 23, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

I agree with Rosalie here! This sounds divine to me!

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What a relaxing Sunday it would be! I can smell it from here!

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Dec 13, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

Do you not cook the pasta before assembling the final dish?

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Excactly. I make pasta super thin, so it cooks in the oven!

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Dec 16, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

Do you remember what your machine setting was? Thanks!

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When I make lasagna it is always 7

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Oct 25, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

Oh my goodness, this was even more amazing than I had hoped! Total prep time (dough, squash, sauce, meat) was about 2 hours for me, which coincidentally was how long the baby napped. :) Rolled out the pasta later and put it all together. The house smelled amazing, and you’re right -- it was even better on the second day. Wonderful flavor combination, rich and warm. Served each piece on a bed of arugula for a fresh, crunchy contrast.

My favorite new trick is roasting squash this way; it seems like a lot of oil at first but there is no sticking at all and the cubes become so tender, almost like confit.

Thank you for a beautiful recipe! We will make this again and again as the weather continues to cool, while dreaming of Tuscany.

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Thank you, Emily! Thank you for trying the recipe, I’m so glad it was a surprise! I often cook a large tray of roasted squash and keep it is the fridge. It is great added to brown rice, to dress a bowl of short pasta like penne or fusilli with some parmigiano, or even as a side dish. So versatile!

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Oct 21, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

I made this last night. Ratios were perfect. I think I might have slightly over thickened the bechamel, but it led to the pieces holding together beautifully when served. Substituted shiitakes for the meat, didn’t laminate the pasta w sage because ours in the garden is too powerful I think. For the cheese I used Parish Hill Idyll and Vermont Herdsman as well as a little of my leftover homemade chèvre plus parm reg. Everyone LOVED it. Alongside: Front Porch red blend (didn’t have time to source a special wine!), broccoli rabe and we finished a a ricotta (my homemade) lime (didn’t have lemons on hand) cake. Thank you Giulia!

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Yes, mushrooms instead of guanciale was my first idea, next time I do want to try it with shiitakes or porcini. So glad you tried the recipe adapting it with local ingredients. And your lime ricotta cake sounds delicious

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Oct 21, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

I share your idea, of a meal all set to warm up so you can mingle and enjoy your guests. I like to add to that a Wow! A moment you create in front of your guests that's unexpected and delicious. In one instance, and reaching for my Greek cookbook, we have prepared a moussaka. And the wow! is the presentation of an appetizer called Saganaki. It's a special Greek cheese (purchased at Amazon!) that is lightly floured, quickly fried, and then flambéd with the liquer Ouzo. The cheese gets melty and can be scooped up with pita bread. It's so fun to see everyone's reactions and even after all this time, I still give an inner wow!

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Next time count me for dinner!!

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Oct 20, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

Ooh - that does good, but I might file it away to use in six months time.

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Yes! 😅😅 definitely for the next time in six months!

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Thank you for this. Sounds delicious! I've never roasted squash before. I look forward to trying out with the pasta.

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Roasted squash is a staple in the Fall! It would be great also tossed on some short dry pasta, with some pancetta and pecorino.

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Transporting photos, luscious recipe, beautiful words. Bravissima come sempre, Giulia.

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Grazie Domenica! 🤗🤗

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This looks and sound divine, the soul food we need right now 🤍

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I find lasagne have a special meaning for us, they mean family and love, and represent the way we take care of each other. I guess this is why right now this is the food I crave.

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This sounds so good! It would be perfect for a chilly autumn day.

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if only it could be a tad cooler, we could define this the first proper autumn day. Here is is windy and cloudy, but the wind is so hot!

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Gorgeous Giulia! And I really love squash with taleggio - one of my fave Italian cheeses and such a good one to melt.

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thank you, Rosie! it means a lot said from you! I'm just like you, if I think about squash, taleggio is the first cheese that comes to my mind! a natural association!

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Oct 20, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

It looks absolutely delicious, cannot wait to try it. 😋

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Thank you Michaela! I hope you will try it soon, and I hope it will bring a sense of warmth and love in your kitchen!

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Oct 20, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

(and I have relatives from Tuscany with the name Cecchini--but no winery!) This recipe--and the wine--sound delicious--and it's not in your cookbook--so I've downloaded it for making when the cold weather is closer. Today it was too hot to bake in California 85 F/29 C! Thank you for the recipe!

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Here it's cloudy and windy, but the wind is so hot, and weird!

Save the lasagne for when the weather will be better suited for the oven! :D

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