What fruit is used for mostarda di frutta?

Pears, quinces, cherries and other fruits are commonly used to make this spicy candied fruit in a mustard-flavoured syrup from northern Italy.

What fruit is used for mustard fruits?

Pears, quinces, cherries and other fruits are commonly used to make this spicy candied fruit in a mustard-flavoured syrup from northern Italy.

Pancetta-wrapped Grilled Mozzarella

Name: Pancetta-wrapped Grilled Mozzarella
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 400g nodini mozzarella; 250g thinly sliced flat pancetta; 2 tablespoons finely sliced mustard fruit

Pancetta-wrapped grilled mozzarella is one of those quick-to-assemble dishes that’s perfect for entertaining. Inspired by a dish I used to love years ago at Castelmola restaurant in Leichhardt, the addition of mustard fruit takes this snack from yum to wow! I use Vannella nodini – large, juicy, bite-sized knots of fresh mozzarella – but you could use smaller bocconcini if they aren’t available. Flat pancetta is best, but improvise if you need to by using the fatty strip from rolled pancetta and saving the meaty centre for another dish. I really enjoy these snacks with a glass of Ponente 270 Lambrusco dell’Emilia (imported by Godot Wines). Salute! See the video below for another cheesey Italian classic.

Makes about 14 pieces

Ingredients

400g nodini mozzarella
250g thinly sliced flat pancetta
2 tablespoons finely sliced mustard fruit

Method

Check the hard rind has been removed from the pancetta, if not peel it off.
Place a slice of mustard fruit on each cheese.
Wrap a slice of pancetta around to enclose it and spear it with a small skewer to hold it in place.
Place on a baking paper-lined oven tray.
Heat the overhead grill to very hot.
Place baking tray under the grill for 3–5 minutes, until pancetta is crisp.
Serve grilled mozzarella immediately with cold wine and good company.

Eggplant Parmigiana

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FAQ

What is nodini?

Nodini, literally ‘knots’, are juicy bite-sized knots of fresh mozzarella. Vannella Cheese produces an excellent version.

What can I substitute for nodini?

Use any firm fresh mozzarella instead of nodini, such as bocconcini (‘little mouthfuls’), ciliegine (‘cherries’), ovoline (‘little ovals’).

Is pancetta flat or round?

Pancetta comes in two basic shapes: round (arrotolata) and flat (stesa). It can be salt-cured, smoked or spiced up with some dried chilli flakes. Flat is best for this recipe, but you can make do with round if that’s all that’s available. Use the chilli-flecked version if you like a little extra heat.

What is mustard fruit?

Mostarda di frutta is spicy candied fruit in a mustard-flavoured syrup from northern Italy. Pears, quinces, cherries and other fruits are commonly used.

What Other Travellers Say

Relaxed, organised and well-paced – a wonderful bespoke small group tour, starting in Rome, then travelling down the Amalfi Coast to stay at a family estate where we were treated like old friends. This tour included some hidden gems too, notably on our way to Matera, a fascinating town built into the side of a mountain. We finished with Naples and Pompeii – with plenty of wine and more new tastes. Roberta is a specialist and very personable as she hosts and explains every detail of the food and wine experience.

I’ve been on three of Roberta’s food and wine tours so far and each one has been an amazing well-organised experience. From historic Rome and Pompeii to the spectacular Amalfi Coast, remarkable Venice and the charming villages of Switzerland, each tour offers something special. Then there’s the food in fabulous places where you can truly eat like a local. I highly recommend Roberta’s tours to anyone who wants to discover inspired travel through great food, wine and company. I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Starting in Rome then spending time on the Amalfi Coast and further south before heading back to Rome for the last couple of days made for a nice ‘round trip’. Roberta’s choice of eateries was excellent with some very enjoyable meals – and a nice mix of other activities, like vineyard visits, between meals. Everything was very well organised: transport, nice hotels in close proximity to most activities, and a relaxed pace with enough time to follow your nose if that took your fancy. A very worthwhile tour and I’m already looking forward to another!

I absolutely recommend Roberta’s Southern Italy tour! We’ve always been independent travellers so were a little apprehensive – by day 2 we knew we’d made a great decision! Roberta knows people and places far from the tourist trail so we visited wineries where we were always invited for lunch as well as wine-tasting, a family lemon grove high on the Amalfi Coast and a 3rd generation cheesemaker. We stayed in a stunning cave hotel in Matera and a gorgeous family hotel in Scala – and book-ended the tour with the vibrancy of Rome. So many highlights, such a brilliant experience. We will do another tour with Roberta.