Marche is a region in central eastern Italy around Ancona, between the Appenines and the Adriatic. It also includes Urbino, Pesaro, Macerata and Ascoli Piceno. The coast provides masses of seafood, often served in tomato-based sauces. Ancona is famous for stoccafisso, a dried cod stew and brodetto, containing at least eight types of fish, is found all along the coast. The brodetto of Ancona contains at least 13. Also found on the coast is muscioli alla mafrinera. Rabbits abound in the mountains providing another well known dish, coniglio in porchetta. Even better, good quality white truffles are found on the slopes. Vincisgrassi is typical of the area. There are 10 DOC wines from the region.
Marfona is a second early or main crop potato. Best for baking. Can also be boiled. Unsuitable for roasting.
A variety of eating apple thought to have been planted in 1680 in a garden at Sheen in Surrey by Sir William Temple, possibly after being brought over from France. By the middle of the 18th century many trees were in the possession of George London of Brompton Park Nursery. It is an aromatic, flushed blushed red apple with some russet which can be wonderful if it gets enough sunshine. This late-season variety is harvested from early October in South-East England and is at its best from October to December.
A sauce traditionally used with prawn cocktail, this is a mayonnaise-based sauce flavoured with cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce and, for a luxurious version, brandy and coloured pink with a little tomato sauce. The flavour should not be of tomato sauce so go steady with it. May also be enriched with double cream (US: heavy cream).
