I was afraid after a full day of cycling I’d be sore and tired for the next day, but I was surprised at how refreshed I felt! Today we traveled via a network of bike paths through acres upon acres of apple orchards to a town outside of Merano called Rablà. We stopped at Castelbello (translated – the beautiful castle) for lunch and had some very typical Sud Tyrol food. Because the region has a strong influence by Hungarian-Austrian culture, a lot of their food has so been influenced. Their specialties are more easily pronounced by those who speak German than Italian.
Cycling was easy today, which was a relief from the first day! The scenery continues to be gorgeous, but because we’re so close to the orchards they’re difficult to photograph. Today will mostly be about food. So, let me get to the good stuff. We stopped by the Pension Gstirnerhof for a beautiful lunch. On the outside, it really didn’t look like anything special but the food was amazing! I had the Schlutzkrapfen, which is a local dish similar to a half-moon ravioli filled with cheese and spinach and served in a butter sauce. There was also some lovely Kaiserschmarrn which we all sampled. Kaiserschmarrn is a traditional Austrian dessert, but here in the Sud Tyrol they’ve been serving it among the Primi Piatti, so we’ve all been eating it for lunch. It’s like a crumbled up pancake served topped with powdered sugar and a marmalade of local berries (around here it’s usually been lingonberry).
For dinner we had the most delicious meal… I’ll let the pictures stand for themselves!
From Cece S:
I hope the Pension Gstirnerhof was not like the Pension Grillparzar!!!
Everything looks lovely but not Italian. Except the raviolis and breadsticks
Actually the countryside looks like Northern New Mexico! I think you need to find out how to make that dish with the apples. I can make the caramel.
From Whitney Claire:
What’s so funny is that all I can think about every time I pass a “Pension” is the Pension Grillparzar! No bicycling bears on this holiday though.
Which dish is the one with the apples? The Kaiserschmarrn? Cause that’s not caramel… though I think it would be good with it! We learned today how to make it. You take milk, a couple of eggs, and some flour and you really, really, really work it together. Then you put butter in a pan, and pour it into the pan like an omelet. And then you break it up with a wooden spoon. Those were the exact directions. No measurements or anything! We’ll have to experiment when we get home.
From Wanda English:
You lucky person you! Looks and sounds like you are having a “WONDERFUL”time. Is your Mom with you? What an adventure. You will have to tell me all about it when you return. Stay safe. Wanda
From Whitney Claire:
Yes! Mom is with me and we’re both having a wonderful time! It rained some today, but the countryside is so beautiful that we hardly noticed it!