Still dark, we headed out early to the flea market at Assago. One can find “good stuff”, plus a lot of junk, by flashlight. From there we headed on the country roads southwest to Casale Monferrato for their flea market/antique market, with “higher end” good stuff and junk. By the time we got to Casale, it was sunny and a little warmer, so we could peel off a couple of our winter layers.
The booth that captured my attention was full of old metal: tools, measuring devices, instruments, kitchen implements, and some wood, as well. It was hard to tear myself away from the seller’s several laden tables. A few things came away with me as “pensieri”, mementos.
Early morning flea market entry
Chiavarine chairs, delicate in appearance
Snow-dusted country field
Frosty country field
Cemetery out in a country field
You, too, could buy this place for just 1€. Ha ha ha
Art Nouveau “Liberty” market entrance in Casale
Junk and treasures
Dante Alighieri Books, 1865
Dante Alighieri, 1865
Dante Alighieri Books, 1865
Ahhh, the fresh cheeses!
Fur stoles, ruffs, hats, plus not-fur
Fur coats for 100€ each
Old tools, instruments, measuring devices
Old tools, instruments, measuring devices
Old tools, instruments, measuring devices
Old tools, instruments, measuring devices
Old tools, instruments, measuring devices
Nut and crab crackers. So sculptural!
We had 1:00 reservations for our Sunday meal in nearby Ozzano Monferrato. That was the simple part. FINDING the place required Loredano to stop four times to ask for directions. (Imagine if a non-Italian-speaker had tried to find their way?!)
We finally arrived a little after 1:00 at Agriturismo Cascina Imarisia, high on a hill, just south of Ozzano, even further south of Casale. Beautiful views along the way, and once we got there.
There is no menu here. You specify your water (sparkling or still) and your wine (from their own production), and then they begin serving you… and serving you…and serving you, until the point when you ask, “How many more plates are you bringing?!” because you’re already to the point of bursting.
- Salume
- Pancetta
- Soppressata
- Lardo
- Carne Crudo/Tartare
- Verdura Cardo con crema di parmigiano
- Risotto con noci (with walnuts)
- Tagliolini con carne (with meat)
- Faraona con Patate (Guinea Fowl with Potatoes)
- Brasato (Pot Roast)
- Bonet Piemontese (traditional Piedmont chocolate bread pudding)
- Vino (Both Barbera and Bianco, their own production)
- Acqua Frizzante (sparkling)
- Caffè
- Grappa
The total for two people, for all of the above, was 68€, ($77)!! We suggested they have not just the rate for the meal, but a rate for the meal-plus-a-room to sleep for 3 hours afterwards.
This would be an amazing place to bring a group of friends for a stay and a meal.
Agriturismo Cascina Imarisia
Deregibus Mario di Pietro & Mauro Deregibus
Ozzano Monferrato (AL)
Tel: 0142.488.279
By reservation only
View to Treville from Ozzana hill
View toward Casale from Agriturismo Cascina Imarisia
Agriturismo Cascina Imarisia
Inside Agriturismo Cascina Imarisia
Salume, pancetta, soppressata
Enjoying my slices of lard and soppressata
Lardo – Unusually meaty pieces of lard
Loredano and an unusually meaty piece of lardo – lard
Il vino rosso
Carne cruda – Steak tartare (chopped, raw beef)
Cardo – Wild artichoke in creamy parmigiano sauce
Risotto con noci – Risotto with walnuts
Il vino bianco
Tagliolini con carne
Brasato – Pot roast
Bonet Piemontese – like a steamed, chocolate bread pudding
Caffè e grappa
Maureen at Agriturismo Cascina Imarisia
View toward Casale from Agriturismo Cascina Imarisia
Agriturismo Cascina Imarisia
Agriturismo Cascina Imarisia
View toward Casale from Agriturismo Cascina Imarisia
Imarisia chicken coop
What an amazing day! (and, an amazing couple of weeks.) Coming back to the US is going to be… a challenge.
What did you buy at the antique market? Photos please!
The food. Good grief. Are “doggie bags” expected or…what happens if you can’t possibly eat all that?
You’ve mentioned raw beef twice now. Your take?
“Doggie bags” never were a thing, but they’ve become acceptable at some “lower-end” restaurants. Not at a “fancy” one. Having been a farmer, I just can’t waste food, so it really puts me in a pickle. And yes, I eat raw beef here and it’s delicious. They have “provenance”. They know where the animal was born, raised, pastured, slaughtered. I don’t trust meat (much) in the U.S.
I bought a couple of those gorgeous nutcrackers and some old measuring instruments. I could have spent all day at that one seller’s stall.