Snail Story

The Slow Food snail popped into our already bright summer to make it even brighter - how was that for a surprise? It came unannounced to my ignorant self via the Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno where it was unmistakably stated that the 10th anniversary of the Mercatino del Gusto was going to be held in the city of Maglie, right when I was on holiday just around the corner. 

Now, how is that for a tasty story to tell, hun?!

Let me translate all this a bit: the Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno is a daily regional newspaper detailing the news - of course - and the cultural events of Apulia (and I think also Basilicata). My dear mom, always super alert on all cultural events and affairs of all kinds, spotted the agenda for the enogastronomic fair to be held in Maglie. This is a yearly event promoted by Slow Food Puglia to give producers of well-known and less famous produce the opportunity to reach the greedy public at large and draw attention on local products of today and of the past. The aim is of course to keep the producers and their products very much alive, while satisfying high standards of quality for the consumers - and keeping stomachs full and happy in the long run! 

The event was held in Maglie: this southern city had left no memorable memory in my little head so I am all the more thrilled to have seized the opportunity to visit its center again for the Mercatino del Gusto. The city houses and palaces have been beautifully renovated, while carefully studied lighting patterns underline the historic masterpieces of local architecture carved in pietra leccese. I was in total awe and still am as I try to recall the magic atmosphere of the moment framed by this elegant architecture. New, sleek shops have opened their doors in ancient houses and under their traditional star-shaped ceilings - if this is what it takes to renovate and promote beautiful places of the past, I say fine! As long as the shops help maintain our heritage and do not spoil it, the compromise is more than welcome, don't you think?

In the middle of cobbled streets and accompanied by musical notes raising from small squares hosting concerts (Notte di Note), were the food stalls: cheese, fresh and dried pasta, olive oils, wines, vegetables... Smells, sounds and know-how invited the visitor to slowly, patiently give in to all this richness and to priceless tradition, to take the time to smell, taste and listen while discovering real treasures such as the Caciocavallo podolico, rich with flavors of grass and rough, sun-bathed earth. 

Truly an enriching and enchanting experience to live and appreciate at a slow pace, to make it last as long as possible...