You will take part in a cooking class in Rome’s former Jewish Ghetto, one of the city’s most historic and distinctive neighborhoods. Although it retains its traditional name, today it is a safe, lively area that is highly appreciated by Romans, as well as the heart of the capital’s Jewish community, one of the oldest in Italy.
Before beginning the activity, you will learn about the historical and gastronomic context of the neighborhood, where restaurants and trattorias serving Roman, Roman-Jewish, and kosher cuisine coexist. You will also be able to see some of its most representative landmarks, such as the Great Synagogue of Rome, known as the Temple, and discover how the history of the Jewish community has influenced the area’s recipes and culinary traditions.
The experience will continue at a local restaurant, where you will meet the chef and take part in a hands-on class to learn how to prepare fresh pasta from scratch. Following traditional methods, you will work the dough with your own hands and learn simple techniques that you will be able to recreate later at home. Those who prefer to observe will be able to follow the preparation while enjoying local wine.
The class will also include the preparation of seasonal vegetables. During winter, you may learn how to clean and cook Jewish-style artichokes, while in summer zucchini flowers or other fresh products will be used to prepare traditional Roman fritto. At the end, you will taste the pasta and the dishes prepared, as well as torta di ricotta e visciole, a typical dessert made with ricotta and sour cherry preserve.
The activity will be suitable for children and vegetarians and will take place in a friendly and informal atmosphere, designed to share traditional cuisine with local people. The pasta prepared during the class will contain gluten; however, those who can handle flour but need to avoid consuming it may request packaged gluten-free pasta. Please note that the restaurant will not be kosher.