Parma Farmer

Travelling from La Spezia to Parma (where the pub parma we Melburnians seem to so love cannot be found) we passed through extensive agricultural areas, the hinterland where the support structure for an extensive food empire is fueled. Parma loves its food and has a certain penchant for horse.. yes... horse...  almost as much as it loves its cured meats and the "more than famous" parma reggiano cheese which is simply superb.

Spalla cotto, culatello and prosciutto. The other holy trinity.

The cheese is dug out of huge cheese wheels with a small trowel like  knife that results in rough nuggets of beautiful reggiano placed amidst thinly sliced flavoursome cured meats. There is little doubt that Italy is home to the meat slicer. (Sorry my vego and vegan friends...) Anyone who is anyone, has one or more in their hotel, restaurant, cafe so the meat is sliced on the spot. 

Trattoria Corrieri in Parma has four meat slicers on the go. (Anne's Photo)

Parma is also dedicated to Verdi. His image is almost omnipresent and is seen in the background of this snap. He wasn't born in Parma but on the Province of Parma... close enough,  so he has been claimed by the town as one of their own. Bit like a Kwozzie. (b. New Zealand but claimed  by Aust.) Is the pinnacle of fame or infamy having a stout in your name...? Damn fine brew.