My Day Truffle Hunting

[Britalian]

Sunday we went to the low Apenines just south of Bologna. First we went on a trek into the hills around the small town of Savigno. During this we met a local 'truffler' and his dogs. They gave us a demo of the truffle hunt; the tracking, the stalking, and finally the kill. All very interesting. Later we returned to the town where there was the 25th Sagra Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco Pregiato, a Truffle festival for want of a better expression. We enjoyed a lunch of Ravioli with white truffles, porchetta, and too much of the local, young red wine. The lady drove home while I dozed off and dreamed about buying a pig or beagle of some sort.

Giuseppe with one of the dogs

Stall selling the little jewels

Variously priced truffles

 

[Lucky7]

I'm jealous!!!

 

[robin]

Sounds like fun.

My local vendors should start getting the good ones in soon.

 

[globetrotter]

I have never been so jealous!!

 

[Spatlese]

Originally Posted by Britalian

Variously priced truffles

Quite the day you had! Love this shot of the grading / pricing.

 

[Johnny_5]

I envy you

The quote I have at the moment is $3,975/lb for larger white truffles. Smuggle some white Alba truffles to NYC for me.

A lot of customers have been asking me for them but I don't know how many of them are willing to drop $250 on a fresh pasta tartufo. I hope the prices comes down soon...

 

[robin]

Originally Posted by Johnny_5

The quote I have at the moment is $3,975/lb for larger white truffles. Smuggle some white Alba truffles to NYC for me.

Dang, that's about what they were at last year. I was hoping they'd be a bit less this year.

 

[Johnny_5]

Yep. It is still relatively early in the season so hopefully the market will set a more reasonable price. The year before last we were getting them for around $2000/lb. Insane 100% increase in price so the black truffles have been a good substitute considering. I miss that intoxicating aroma...

 

[zerosum]

Been a dry year

 

[Johnathan]

Incredibly jealous.

 

[GQgeek]

Originally Posted by Johnny_5

Yep. It is still relatively early in the season so hopefully the market will set a more reasonable price. The year before last we were getting them for around $2000/lb. Insane 100% increase in price so the black truffles have been a good substitute considering. I miss that intoxicating aroma...

Are you a chef or restaurant owner?

 

[Johnny_5]

My family is in the business so you could say so.

 

[HORNS]

That's awesome. What a good time.

 

[nootje]

great trip, you've managed to get another trip on my to do list

 

[Mauro]

Johns resturant is VERY VERY good . I eat there a lot and I look forward to eating some truffles.