Truffles

White Truffles

If truffles are the royal family of gourmet foods, then the white truffle (tartufo Bianco), mostly found in Piedmonte is the king. Found growing in stands of oak, willow or poplar the white truffle is harvested from September to December with the cream of the crop coming from the Alba area. However, there is another white truffle hotspot in the Marche region near Aqualanga that is not so well known outside Italy. Tartufo Bianco is harvested from September to December using dogs and is characterized by a whitish exterior that can be almost brown with streaks of pink - depending upon the type of tree it grew under. In size the white truffle ranges from walnut to orange sized and are incredibly expensive - nearly worth its weight in gold. This truffle is definitely the most aromatic and flavorful of all the truffle species and great care is taken in is consumption. The white truffle is never cooked and only served fresh; it is far too delicate for cooking - although it can be preserved or infused in olive oil. Instead it is shaved raw over cold or warm dishes often to enhance the flavors and aroma of specialties like risotto or Carne Cruda all'Albese (an antipasto much like carpaccio), pastas like tagliatelle. The white truffle is also popular sliced thin in salads or on eggs. 

Black Truffles

The more affordable and plentiful black truffle (tartufo nero) is less aromatic and flavorful than the white variety. Found in Piedmonte, but also as far south as Umbria (especially along the Nera river), these truffles are often have a wrinkly skin and range in size similar to the white truffle. The Umbrian variety of black truffle has a harvesting season from November to March and is found with the help of a trained pig. The Tartufo Nero can withstand the stress of cooking and is often found incorporated into sauces, or a spread for bruschetta or crostini. Black truffle omelets are a favorite of Assisi and they can also be sliced raw and served with carpaccio or bresaola. Black truffles and black truffle products can also be found preserved in jars or cans. The Tre Scalini ristorante in Rome's Piazza Navona is famous for using black truffles in their signature Tartufo gelato.