   Tuscany Flavours Since 1929, the Conti's have supplied Florence with the best the market has to offer, and now they are bringing the market to you! Order direct from Germana's stand in the Mercato Centrale!  Stefano, Germana, and Grazia Conti |
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  n icon of the Mercato Centrale is Germana Conti. She is my Mamma in the market. With five children of her own and eleven grandchildren, what's one more!
With her sons Stefano and Andrea, and Stefano's wife Grazia, Germana supplies Florentine shoppers with the best food and wine products from a stand started by her father-in-law Giuseppe "Beppe Mercato" Conti in 1929. Her late husband Mario joined his father in the 1930s. Germana is still active in the market and always generous with her secrets! I adore her recipe for green beans and can't wait for each summer to make them! Grazie Germana! Ti voglio bene!  Fagiolini Mangiatutto Saltati (Sautéed Broadbeans) 
1 lb. fresh green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces 12 large cherry tomatoes, cut in half 2 cloves garlic 1/4-cup extra virgin olive oil 8 leaves fresh basil Salt I recommend Chinese green beans, but not string beans. Slice the garlic thin (don't mince it) and put in skillet in cold oil. Put the pan over the heat and when the garlic starts to sizzle, add the green beans. Season with salt and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes, uncover, and add the cherry tomatoes and basil. Stir, cover, and cook until the tomatoes fall apart, about 15 more minutes. The secret to this recipe is to use high heat, and really overcook the beans. I like to let them burn a bit; the carmelization makes them taste like Mamma made them. Most Americans like their vegetables slightly raw, but this is one recipe to try the Italian way. The beans get an almost meatlike flavor that will make you wish that Germana was your Mamma too!  Click here to send this recipe to a friend! 
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David Lebovitz Kate Hill Paulette Mitchell Benita Leo Piazzesi Gianni Migliorini Germana Conti Gabriele Ferron Osteria Luchin Federico Bacci Gastronomia Perini Romeo Colzi Dario Cecchini Mimmo Baldi Donatella Lauteri Giovanni Cappelli Fabio Picchi Andrea Francini FUTURE PROFILES! |