Dario Cecchini Mostarda Mediterranea

Mostarda Mediterranea by Dario Cecchini

A bright red, sweet bell pepper sauce with a hint of spiciness

A "mostarda" is actually - similar to a "senape" - a mustard. However, Dario Cecchini's Mostarda Mediterranea actually has nothing to do with a mustard in the traditional sense. It is a bright red sauce made from a mixture of sweet peppers and hot chilies. According to Dario, the sauce originated in monasteries, where the monks would pickle fruit and vegetables to preserve them for the deprived winter months. And one of these monastic products was paprika sauce. A sweet sauce with a minimal hint of spiciness that goes with everything: With meat, fish and cheese anyway. The braver ones should also try it with chocolate. A real firework of flavors! The sauce is available in jars of 50, 220 and 490 grams.

The Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano in Chianti - a paradise for meat lovers!

Dario Cecchini and his Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano in Chianti have become famous not least because of his meaty creations, which you can either buy in the macelleria or eat directly on site. The butcher's shop also has a cucina, a kitchen where bistecca alla fiorentina, Dario Docs and solociccia dishes, i.e. only meat, are prepared. Among other things, Dario has made it his mission to rediscover old recipes and bring them back to life: the fennel salami or the Burro del Chianti, the Chianti butter, for example, are a real treat for the palate. This is not butter, but a lard flavored with herbs. Sushi del Chianti, a beef tartare, can also be found on Dario's counter. A regional specialty is the Tonno del Chianti, which is not actually tuna at all, but pork cooked using a special process that looks and tastes like tuna.

In addition to mostarda mediterranea, Dario also has a few other non-meaty products in his Antica Macelleria Cecchini range: behind the poetic name Il Profumo del Chianti is an aromatic salt flavored with herbs from Tuscany. In the restaurant, Dario serves the salt mixed with olive oil for dipping raw vegetables. But the salt is of course also perfect for seasoning dishes and salads. Another spice is Fiore di Finocchio. These are the dried flowers of wild fennel, which, with their special taste, are also suitable for refining many Mediterranean dishes. A highlight in the non-meaty range is Dario's mustard. This golden yellow delicacy, which is made according to an ancient recipe, goes well with grilled food, but is also excellent with cheese! Dario's label also includes an excellent extra virgin olive oil. A must for all those who like it hot are the extra hot peppers in oil called Bruciaculo. If you are in Panzano in Chianti or nearby, you should definitely stop by the most famous butcher in Europe. It's worth it! Even if you just sip a glass of red wine in the salesroom and get to try the cold dishes.

In Italy, in the region Tuscany, in the region Chianti Classico, in Panzano in Chianti