26/10/2009

Ciao Tom,
sorry for answer delay but I was ………… hunting.
My purpose was Saturday mushrooms and Sunday truffles. Saturday 4 a.m. alarm, I open my eyes and hear rain come down.I close my eyes and resume my sleep.
Sunday 5 a.m. wait Mario and togheter come hunting Pico. At 6,30 a.m. we are in a wood with our torches and our dogs. 2 day passed many rain then ground very soaked. Mario to the right and me to the left.
I went in a place where last year Filù found “tartufaia” (place where truffles borns, ok?) that no people knows. Two poplars gives sometime good Pico. Filù run fast and just in place she stop, come back few meters, sniff with her fantastic nose and begin to dig. One legged and I see the yellow of the Pico. I move the dog and begin my work for truffle extraction. The aroma fill now my nose and my brain. This is the only truffle that expand its aroma as lime in flower: incisive and delicate at the same time. I cannot say better, you need test it. End of work and I have in my hand the King, good size (36 gr.).
Now many caresses (and one kiss) to Filù and reward. I close the hole and I see with the corner of one’s eye my dog that digs again. After 3 minutes another King in my pocket, same size. Filù scour the ground with tenacity but no other truffle found.
Coming back, near juniper the dog stop, lift the nose in air and follows the way that lead she to another truffle. She is so far to me and after digged I see she open her mouth and take the truffle. Immediately I open her mouth, take the truffle and put it in my pocket (this is better). I look in the hole and I see other two little truffles. Were always so!!
Now we come back. Near the car I find Mario that have not had lucky (today left has been better of the right!!). We decide to search a new place. Twenty minutes and we are in a wood of oak and poplar. We see one car in the parking and we think for another truffler. We start and meet one man with his dog that say us to have found one little Pico. We give freedom to our dogs that begin the search. Ground is very soaked and dogs find difficult to work. Little patience and Filù find two Pico. Unfortunately the best is born in a very difficult place and I don’t was able to extract it complete. But for eat them we must cut it, no?
11, 20 a.m. and time hunting is now ended. I have had a good day and Filù gave me satisfaction. But more satisfaction in the evening when Elisabetta put on the table a fantastic risotto with the White King of the Truffles.
Hope this will be the begin of a good truffle season.
Attached photos of Pico found.
Good night to you all. Have a truffle dreams!!
P.S.: in Italy some provinces stop hunt in december, other at january, 20.
Ciao.

Paolo