White Truffle - Giacomino Drago

ViaAlloro Truffle:White Truffle 11/19/14 12:24 PM Page 1
Il Tartufo
Blanco
F R E S H
W H I T E
T R U F F L E
M E N U
Carosello di Funghi di BosCo
Wild Mushroom soup
$52
insalatina di Carne Cruda
Butter lettuce salad with thin raw beef and burrata cheese
$72
Capesante al tartuFo BianCo
sautéed diver scallops with spelt, Mushroom, and Fresh White truffle
$75
polenta soFFiCe
soft polenta with mushroom, speck and Fresh White truffle
$75
tagliolini o risotto all’onda
Choice of fresh tagliolini or risotto with Fondue sauce
$95
sogliola all Moda d’alBa
dover sole with lobster Mashed potatoes and White truffle
$110
Costata di Vitello
rack of Veal with porcini Mushroom sauce and asparagus
$125
pizza al tartuFo
thin Crust pizza served with Cheese Fondue
$95
grattata (extra shaving) $30
ViaAlloro Truffle:White Truffle 11/19/14 12:24 PM Page 2
W H AT I S A “ T R U F F L E ” ?
A truffle is a Tuber that grows 3 to 12 inches below the ground at the base of certain trees,
like Beech, Oak, Hazel and Pine.
Truffles can only be located by pigs and more recently dogs. Both animals have a keen sense
of smell. Pigs have an innate ability to sniff out truffles, while dogs must be trained.
Currently the only recognized dog breed for truffle "hunting" is the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Pigs, however, tend to eat the truffles they find, while dogs can be easier to control. In Italy,
the use of pigs to hunt truffles has been prohibited since 1985 due to damage caused by
their digging to the truffles’ mycelia, which supplies growth and nutrients to each truffle.
TYPES OF TRUFFLES
WHITE TRUFFLES
BLACK WINTER TRUFFLES
The White Truffle or Alba Truffles (Tuber Magnatum Pico) comes
from the northern and central regions of Italy (Piemonte, Tuscany,
Abruzzo, Molise, etc). Because of their unique flavor, limited availability and high price, White truffles are held in high esteem and
are often called The Diamonds of the kitchen.
The Fresh Black Winter Truffles belongs to the Tuber
Melano-sporum family and it’s the second most valuable
species.
The flesh of the white truffles ranges from pale cream to brown
with white marbling and are available in only in the months of
October, November and December. Alba truffles have an aroma
similar to deep-fried sunflower seeds or walnuts. White Truffles
command a high price because they are considered a delicacy.
The extremely refined flavour of the white truffle matches wonderfully with butter for dressing pastas and rice dishes. They are also
typically shaved on salads and fried eggs.
They have a strong, earthy aroma and mouthwatering sweetness that some have described as"chocolaty“. Their unique
aroma and flavor have earned them the name of “Black Gold”
of the kitchen.
Black Winter Truffles originally grow in the southern part of
France called Perigord, where they took their name, Perigord
Truffles. They can be found near oak and hazelnut trees in
late autumn and winter.
The sharp and fine taste is amazing on pasta, dark and light
meat and eggs!
White truffle
White, Blackand Burgandy truffles for comparison
B L AC K S U M M E R T R U F F L E S &
B U R G A N DY T R U F F L E S
The Summer truffles (Tuber Aestivum) and Burgundy truffles (Tuber uncinatum) are
found in most European countries during the summer and fall seasons.
While they two are different tubers, they are very similar in flavor, size and color. Their
outside skin is dark brown or black, while inside they are whitish or light brown.
Burgundy truffles have a intense hazelnut-like aroma and are often used as a substitute
for the more expensive Black Winter truffles, when these are out of season.
Summer truffles, while very similar to the Burgundy, are less intense in flavor and have
a paler hazel color. Since both these truffles have a more delicate flavor, they
shouldn't be used in dishes that are cooked. Like good extra-virgin olive oil, the heat
will destroy the flavor. Instead, shave thin slices of the truffle onto dishes to finish them.