When I came to buy a house in Tuscany, I did it in part because I loved the simple foods found all over Italy. I loved the traditions, the festivals, and most of all the feast days.
Little did I know that even the "palazzo" or large building in which I now have an apartment was intimately connected with food and variety in the diet of the locals.
So, we took a peek into local food production in our tiny village, and created a feast from its bounty. Everyone is involved in producing foods from the vegetables in the family orto to polenta, wine, salumi and olive oil.
Location: Piano di Collecchia, Italy.
I hope you enjoy this celebration of local food in the Lunigiana. And let me tell you, if you don't like polenta, don't pass up polenta made correctly from folks who grow corn for their own use (and mill it in a 300 year old water driven mill). It's way different.
See Other Pictures, Video and Slide Shows of Italy.
The Lunigiana is a bit difficult for tourists who don't speak at least a little of the language. If you don't fear interaction though, plunge right ahead, speak with your hands and your facial expressions and you'll be fine.
If you're looking to plan an itinerary, then out Tuscany Maps and Guide will point out some of the best cities and rural areas to head to.
How to Plan a Trip to the Lunigiana offers more specific help. There are lots of expats from America and the UK to help you plan a vacation, so travel resouces are plentiful if you know where to look.
Our Lunigiana Blog Category might be helpful if you want to know the inside scoop on the region.
The Garfagnana - It's the next region just south of the Lunigiana.
Lucca Historic Villas - which can and should be visited if you have a car.