When I was in Pistoia, my lovely friend Michela took me to a fabulous sweet shop called Le Golosita di Pratesi Marilena. It sells all kinds of delicious things to eat and drink, including chocolates by Roberto Catinari, a famous son of Pistoia.
They have a small supply of marmalade made by cloistered nuns. It is made from wild oranges that grow inside the cloister. The oranges are plucked, washed and grated one by one to eliminate the part of the skin from which essential oil is made.
The oranges are cut in half and the seeds taken out. Pectin is made from these and later added to the marmalade to thicken it. The halved oranges are kept in water for 3 days, changing the water 3 times a day. At the end if the third day they are boiled for 45 minutes. They are drained and rinsed with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Then they are chopped and mixed with the pectin and equal parts of sugar. (For 1 kilo of oranges, 1 kilo of sugar) The mixture is cooked and put in airtight sterilised jars. They are boiled again to vacuum seal them.
Everything takes place within the cloister.
Of course I had to buy a jar. I can report that it is excellent. I could see the nuns hard at work while I was enjoying it.
Next on my list to try are the figs in Vin Santo made nearby. On my next trip Michela is going to take us to the winery where the Vin Santo is made…there will be a report.
If you go to Pistoia you really must visit Le Golosita di Pratesi Marilena in Via Roma 28. I dare you to come out empty handed.
Ah, if it weren’t quite so far away …
By: Tiger Dreaming on October 26, 2016
at 7:24 am
There should be one in every town.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 26, 2016
at 7:49 am
Debra , Are the oranges peeled first. If so, what happens to the skins.
By: Miranda on October 26, 2016
at 8:03 am
Just a little of the skin is taken off to get the essential oils.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 26, 2016
at 9:32 am
On my list Deb
By: Liz Litzow on October 26, 2016
at 8:48 am
I should have bought 2 jars, one to bring home.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 26, 2016
at 9:33 am
Reblogged this on passion4food4fashion.
By: mikyriccia on October 26, 2016
at 9:23 am
Can products be purchased? Is there a website?
By: DOREEN NOVOTNY on October 26, 2016
at 11:16 am
I am not aware of a website. I think you have to go to the shop. The production of the marmelade is very small.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 26, 2016
at 1:15 pm
It all looks delicious.
By: Kerry & Jim on October 26, 2016
at 11:32 am
I tried several things and they were all great.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 26, 2016
at 1:15 pm
No wonder you want to live in Pistoia!
By: Andrea Waterhouse on October 26, 2016
at 3:39 pm
Just one of many reasons.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 26, 2016
at 4:45 pm
Our Mum used to make jam. Rosella was my favourite. I have not seen rosella jam in a shop.
By: nifta on October 26, 2016
at 4:13 pm
I remember rosella jam. I have bought it, but it wasn’t as good as Mum’s. Grandma used to make gooseberry jam from her own bushes. I have planted a gooseberry bush at Casa Debbio.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 26, 2016
at 4:46 pm
Remember that jam too!
By: Mallee Stanley on October 26, 2016
at 6:41 pm
I just bought fig jam from Turkey, but haven’t tried it yet.
By: Mallee Stanley on October 26, 2016
at 6:40 pm
I love anything with figs.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 27, 2016
at 4:22 am
That sounds like very special marmalade and all hand done too which is a nice point of difference 😀
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on October 26, 2016
at 10:32 pm
Hand made by nuns, how Italian.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 27, 2016
at 4:22 am
How delicious.
By: Jan on October 27, 2016
at 1:25 am
It is.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 27, 2016
at 4:22 am
I will have to get some next trip! I’m sure it is delicious!!!!
By: sheri on October 27, 2016
at 4:21 pm
Oh My… looks heavenly indeed!
By: maru clavier on October 31, 2016
at 1:26 pm