Polenta for Peace: Trentino Chefs to Promote Dialogue in Bethlehem
Who would have ever thought that polenta, humble rural food, would one day have a small role in the peace process that the international community is promoting in the land of Palestine and Israel? Yet it is so, and in September, the “blonde” will land in Bethlehem.
To act as ambassadors — who better than them? — will be the volunteers of the “Polenta and Mortadella Committee” of Varone who, from September 2 to 9, will distribute slices of polenta, stew, and Trentino cheeses in the main square of the city where Jesus was born.
The masters of polenta from Riva will have the honor of representing the gastronomic sector of the province of Trento in the initiative “A Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel”, promoted by the Province itself, the association “Trentino Municipalities for Peace”, and the “National Committee of Local Authorities for Peace”.
During those seven days, besides sharing freshly prepared polenta and “brustolada” (toasted polenta), practical demonstrations will also be held for Israelis and Palestinians on how to prepare the traditional dish of Trentino.
The Delegation and the Tradition
The delegation, alongside the Gardesans, will include the S. Ilario choir and the Trento-based music group “Tabesco”, who will perform in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Gaza.
The culinary task force — which will prepare and distribute at least 3,000 servings — will be composed of Leonardo Rosà, Antonio Miorelli, Mauro Larentis, Danilo Miaroma, and Carlo Zucchelli, with yellow flour donated by Mulino Pellegrini.
This Varone expedition follows a couple of months after the last major success of the masters of the “Polenta and Mortadella Committee”, fresh from the 5th national gathering “Polentari d’Italia”, held at the end of June in Castel di Tora, in the province of Rieti.
On that occasion, along with 12 other polenta teams from all over Italy, the Rivano champions (Danilo Miaroma, Giuseppe Genta, Sergio Rozza, Marco Vivaldelli, Carlo Zucchelli, Francesco Bonora, Armando Omezzolli, and Ettore Egidi) showcased the “Trentino-style” polenta, earning such popularity among the thousands attending the event that they won the spontaneous competition organized by journalists from the Lazio RAI regional office.
According to the survey broadcast during the regional news, Varone’s polenta received the highest number of votes.
Now, after this achievement, everyone is ready to fly to the Middle East, and who knows, perhaps around a nice serving of polenta, the ideal climate to continue the dialogue can develop…