Wild Herb Pasta Class & Homemade Wine Tasting in Rome's Countryside

About

In the quiet countryside near Rome there is my house, surrounded by an olive grove and a small vineyard. Here you will immediately find the perfect space to relax and enjoy a welcome snack, tea or coffee, some biscuits or a drink, and then we will prepare a whole vegetarian meal together using possibly the vegetables harvested on our field but also the aromatic herbs of which I have a vast collection! 

The tradition of Italian cuisine is based on dishes cooked with seasonal products and many, given the shape of our peninsula, are different from north to south. I will not always offer the same menu to my guests, but we will choose together the dishes to be made using the products available to us, but there will always be two types of pasta that we will prepare without using machines by rolling out the dough only with our hands.
As my grandmother used to say: "those who begin well are in the middle of the work", so we'll immediately start well preparing a classic pasta, ravioli, with flour and fresh eggs (from a nearby farm) with a filling of vegetables and soft local cheese (the ricotta), and then one of Roman custom made only with water and flour (the strozzapreti) and seasoned with fresh tomato and herbs, or with rocket or basil pesto.

To enhance the flavor of my oil you will taste it on an authentic bruschetta, and our wine will be paired with a vegetable fry with flowers and leaves stuffed with mozzarella. In the Roman countryside there are many vegetables that are used to make flans and that are usually baked together with cheeses or the famous bechamel sauce, or even crispy breading. You will not miss a dessert that we could prepare together with custard or fruit or ricotta and chocolate.
We will taste together everything we have prepared with a good glass of wine in hand under the grape pergola or at the long table in the living room and it will be our magic moment!

I assure you it will not be difficult for you to try to redo all these dishes in your home as I will be glad to let you have the written recipes!

• Please note that on Sundays the first train is at 10:15 so the class will be from 11 till 4pm and then we'll take you to the metro station (C Line)

Menu

We will prepare a complete meal together. The menu changes every day depending on what we harvest from my garden or buy from neighboring farmers, so it is always fresh, seasonal, and authentic.

Menu Example

Traditional Appetizer
A selection of fried vegetables and bruschetta, or local specialties such as cured meats and cheeses.

Fresh Handmade Pasta
Pasta made entirely by hand (without machines), such as ravioli filled with ricotta and herbs, fettuccine, or a typical Lazio pasta made with wheat flour and water, served with a traditional sauce of fresh tomatoes, bacon, and pecorino cheese.

Second Course
A meat or vegetable dish inspired by Roman countryside traditions, flavored with aromatic herbs from my garden. Depending on the season, vegetables may include eggplant, fennel, artichokes, or zucchini.

Dessert
My homemade wine donuts, always served to enjoy with a glass of red or white wine.

Notes:

• Vegetarian or vegan menus are available upon request.
• After cooking, we will sit down together to enjoy everything we have prepared, either outdoors under the grape arbor or inside the house. You will also have the chance to taste our extra virgin olive oil and local wine.

Schedule

Morning Session

09:00 – Departure from Roma Termini station
09:14 – Take the train (train number and exact platform will be provided)
09:45 – Arrival at Zagarolo station, where you will be welcomed by either my friend Angela (white car), my husband Bruno (grey car), or Tonino (blue car)
10:00 – Welcome coffee, tea, and pastries at my home
10:15 – Cooking class begins
12:30 – We sit down to enjoy what we have prepared
14:10 – Departure to the station; arrival back in Rome around 15:00

Afternoon Session

15:00 – Arrival at Roma Termini station
15:42 – Take the train (train number and exact platform will be provided)
16:00 – Arrival at Zagarolo station, where you will be welcomed by either my friend Giusy (green car) or my husband Bruno (grey car)
16:15 – Welcome coffee, tea, and pastries at my home
16:30 – Cooking class begins
19:00 – We sit down to taste what we have prepared
20:12 – Departure to the station; arrival back in Rome around 21:00