Day Tripping: San Miniato
The Blessing of the Animals: Saint Anthony the Abbot
I had such a fun day today I had to share it. Living in Italy, most celebrations are held on the weekends so more people can attend. Patron Saint’s Days, food and wine festivals called Sagre, as well as speciality markets. Special holidays and festivals are a perfect excuse for day tripping, “zingerate” as my husband would say.
Today in a nearby village, San Miniato, famous for their truffles, which is enough of a reason to go there anytime of the year, they held the Benedizione degli Animale - Blessing of the Animals. San Antonio Abate, patron saint of animals. He is often pictured with a pig at his feet and other barnyard animals around him.
When find an event I want to attend, I research what else is going on around in town or nearby. Often it’s a chance to stop by a favorite butcher, baker or cheesemaker.
Today we hit gold.
We headed out early to get parking near the spot where the blessing happens. The market we were expecting to be there under the arches was moved, so we would go after the blessing.
At first the people with horses had arrived. Looking at the saddles, several styles of riding schools here. It is also possible to go horseback riding around Tuscany.
Then slowly the locals with their pets. Mostly dogs of course, some cats, a peruvian guinea pig and later, I saw a chicken and a rabbit. They bless the animals, give out prizes and everyone has fun.
Here are some of my favorite fotos.
But you know, we really came for the food!
San Miniato is a little over 35 minutes on back roads from our house, but in a direction we rarely go unless it’s the destination.Since we already live in a small town, often we head to Florence or Chianti.
We have a favorite butcher, Falaschi, right in town. The family butcher shop has a restaurant in the back which is so fun and the view!!!
We are eating more vegetables now but did pick up some spicy salami.
I will make us a pizza. My first mistake when moving to Italy was to order a peperoni pizza.
Do you know if you order a peperoni pizza in Italy, it is with bell peppers?
if you want it with spicy salami, ask for Salame piccante
We also have a favorite bar with a view, normally we go and buy this special cookies they make. They remind me of the Dutch windmill cookies I adored as a child.
These are called Fettucine Svizzere, Swiss Ribbons.
Look at that view! They are fabulous bakers. They make pizza, breads, cookies and more. I have not eaten at the restaurant, I go here for the pastry!
It’s a good thing they are not closer to me! These cookies are addicting.
The market is called Mercatale di San Miniato. Local Farmers, bakers, cheese makers and other artisans. We love these slow food markets and always stop when we find one.
Today we wanted some bread and cheese.
This is the local farmer with her vegetables.
The cheese maker had come in from another town, Volterra. We picked up three kinds of cheese, cow’s milk, goat’s milk and sheep’s milk. He of course let us taste before buying. Quite the salesman.
Next to him was the local bakery from the newer part of town, she had also made quite a selection of sweets. We bought a multigrain bread and some of the seasonal sweet rice fritters made for carnevale!
Carnevale starts right after the Befana, Epiphany, on January 6th.
After the paywall is a mini-guide to San Miniato
