Angelo Spena

Die Zauberpfanne Angelo Spena

Freising, Bavaria. 31 days, 31 dinners, 31 letters to the mother organized in a manuscript found in the University basement. Die Zauberpfanne describes recipes, dishes, dinners. Recipes easy to cook, and yet Die Zauberpfanne is not only a Cookbook. The recipes were certainly prepared and tasted in Bavaria, however their roots are clearly in Santa Lucia, Naples. Then an italian cookbook? Yes, but Die Zauberpfanne suggests that the Mozzarella has been likely spread, if not invented, by the Langobards (600-900 after. C.). Moreover, it reminds us that the Vermicelli were a main export of the Normans of Sicily in 1154, that the Orecchiette are probably an invention of the jewish community living in Puglia (1200 after C.) and even that the Pizza has probably its origin in Bisso, an ancient german word used by the Langobards of South Italy (Duchy of Benevento, 800-900 a. C.). And it is so that, made in Italy and cooked in Bavaria, Die Zauberpfanne serves a table where are sitting and dining Etruscans, Romans, Ancient Greeks of the Magna Grecia, Langobards, Normans, Anjouins and other european folks. Ingenious, cultured, inspiring, intriguing. A pleasant and intense reading. Contamination and canon, orthodoxy and heresy. Novel food and/or ancient tradition? It is not certain, and yet Die Zauberpfanne shows that an european unity does indeed exit. At dinner. Author: Angelo Spena. M. D., Molecular Biologist. Full Professor of Plant Physiology and Plant Genetics (1995-2017). In 2017 he has published Il Coccio Magico (Finalist Best in the World 2018 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards) and Stregàt: La Storia del vino Stregato (Finalist Best in the World 2018 Gourmand World Winebooks Awards). Die Zauberpfanne is the german version of the "Il Coccio Magico."