A Unique Way to Celebrate Columbus Day in Baltimore

My friend Matt Platania, director of the Modern Italian Network, has done it again — come up with a unique event to celebrate Italy and Italian-American history. He’s hosting The 1491 Fusion Dinner on Sunday, October 7, 2007 in Baltimore’s Little Italy.

This event will celebrate the land that Columbus discovered by combining native ingredients found in the Western Hemisphere in 1491 – the year prior to Columbus’ arrival- with the sophisticated culinary tradition of Italy. Dr. Linda Perry, an Archaeobiologist at the Smithsonian Institution, will speak at the dinner. She will discussing the advanced food cultivation of Native Americans at the time of Columbus’ arrival in the Western Hemisphere.

Get a look at the innovative menu:

First Course: Maize in the Americas
Polenta con Funghi (Corn Meal with Wild Mushrooms)
Wine Pairing: Ruffino Libaio Chardonnay

Second Course: Tomatoes Brought from the New World to Italy
Penne al Pomodoro con Granchi del Maryland (Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Maryland Crab Sauce)
Wine Pairing: Falesco Sangiovese

Third Course: A Native American Bird Discovered
Ossobuco Di Tacchino con contorno di Patate Dolci e Fagiolini (Turkey Shanks served with Sweet Potatoes and String Beans)
Wine Pairing: Chiarlo Barbera D’Asti

Fourth Course: Wheat and Sugarcane- Abundant in the Americas
Pastiera di Grano e Baba al Rum Di Puertorico(Wheat, Cheese, and Rum Cake)
Wine Pairing: Zonin Moscato D’Asti
Caffe’Espresso

The most amazing thing about the evening might be the price – just $75 per person for all of that food and wine, plus a great speaker. Spaces are filling up, so please contact Matt Platania at mplatania@modernitalian.org to reserve your place. Buon appetito!