Truffles have been a source of exquisite joy for more than 2,000 years.


For the novice or those familiar with their unique gastronomic splendor, the hunt for this extraordinary tuber, if successful, will be one of life’s great rewards.


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A very kind restaurateur/truffle hunter gave me a small plastic bag in which he’d wrapped some black truffles and a couple of even rarer (and outrageously expensive) white truffles. I carefully guarded and protected my stash, and laid the package carefully in my carry-on bag. Guess what? I was stopped by security in Milan, who – after confirming that I was in fact carrying truffles and not something more sinister – confis- cated my tartufi. Tey explained that had they been vacuum-packed, I could have brought them into


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elling for thousands of dollars a pound, white truffles are revered by chefs and foodies around the world. Tey can be found in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy near the towns of Alba and Asti, and in Umbria and Le


Marche in Tuscany. Although it’s a lot easier to splurge and buy a white truffle or have some shaved over pasta in a restaurant, the art of truffle hunting or visiting truffle festivals can be fun, too.


Truffle hunting is serious business. Professional truffle hunters prefer to work alone before the sun rises, with their trusty dog. Where they choose to hunt is their well-kept secret, like a fisherman’s favorite fishing hole, so if you’re a tourist and want to go truffle hunting, it’s probably not go- ing to be with a professional. You can also hunt for black


truffles (often called Black Dia- monds), which are easier to find, and sell for one-tenth the price of the white ones. Te white truffle-hunting season


is a short one, just three months from mid-September through mid-November. Black truffles are hunted from late May through February, so plan accordingly.


The Flying Truffle Caper! By Carla Mantiglia


couple of years ago, I was in Italy during the peak of the truffle (tartufi) hunting season.


the States, but my non-vacuum-packed package would have to be thrown out. In a bid for sympathy, I pleaded ignorance and


gave the agents what I thought was a compelling story about how the truffles arrived in my bag. Nice try. Resigned to the fate of my truffles, I said “If I can’t take them back to the states, please don’t throw them out – split them up and take them home with you.” After a brief conversation between them – I have no clue what they said – my truffles were returned to me, and they sent me off with a “Buon Viaggio!” So much for law and order. Bless them both.


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Italian white truffle. © Klim7/Bigstock


Eating White Truffles


Tey should not be cooked. Tey are usually thinly shaved over a variety of pasta dishes, eggs, veal, potatoes, or just about anything you like. If they’re available in a restaurant, be sure to ask the price before the waiter begins shaving; be prepared for sticker shock.


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white truffle is all about the intense fragrance and aroma.


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