Making Pasta with Nonna Irene

Once or twice a week Italians make fresh homemade pasta, and in this Experience you’ll get to witness this tradition first-hand. With our Local you will join Nonna Irene and go the the farmers market to shop for fresh produce. The market day for Manduria is on Tuesdays, all the farmers of the nearby region bring their produce. Here you will find fresh fruit, veggies, fish, meats, cheese, legumes as well as non-edible goods such as textiles, shoes, clothing etc. If you are interested in purchasing anything, let Irene or our Local help you do the bargaining to get you the best price.

Once you are done shopping, Irene will welcome you in her modest home right in the historic center of town where you will make pasta with her from scratch using their family flour. Then go explore the neighborhood in particular the Church of Santa Maria just next to their home, returning around 1pm to share a meal with the family made with only fresh ingredients, taste the family olive oil and drink Primitivo wine. Italians pride themselves on their hospitality and will want to make sure you are well fed. They will also be happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions you might have. So make sure you have worked up an appetite because the minute you sit down you’re sure to hear, “Mangia, mangia!”

*If you speak some Italian, Irene and her family are great people to practice your Italian with, let us know.