As the white truffle season draws to a close, I think back and reflect upon an interview I had with Alessandro Bonino at the famous Tartufi Morra truffle store in Alba (Piemonte, Italy). He recalls the time when the founder of the store, Giacomo Morra sent the largest white truffle ever (at that time) to President Truman as a gift. Legend has it that Mr. Morra received a letter from the President stating, “Thank you for the potato. Unfortunately it must have gone bad during the journey and we had to throw it away.”

Fortunately, we can continue to use the white truffles in our cooking even after the season is over. Specialty stores around the United States sell White Truffle Cream, and White Truffle Butter – two products wonderful for use in baked potatoes, scrambled eggs, and as a final touch in mushroom sauces. A teaspoon of White Truffle Butter is also wonderful on a Filet Mignon just prior to serving, and as an addition to Parmesan Risotto.

In this video, Alessandro talks about the history of the store (the first fresh white truffle store), how to store white truffles, and how to use them. It is a bit long (over 4 minutes), but if you are really into white truffles, give it a look. I, however, will be waiting in anticipation for next year’s white truffle season. Ciao!

It’s the best time of year for foodies in Italy. The Barbera grapes are being harvested, the Nebbiolo will be picked soon, but right now, we can find winter (white) truffles being sold on the streets and in markets all around Piemonte! Of course the center of activity is in Alba, where people are getting ready for the International White Truffle Festival to open up. In the mean time, however, there are plenty of offerings to be had. I found wonderful cheeses flavored with these rare white truffles to be a perfect match for the Barbaresco wines of the region. The Toma infused with white truffle seemed to be the best.

Italy’s culinary prize, the white truffle, comes into season from late September until mid November each year. Chefs and celebrities from around the world will bid thousands of Euro for these underground tubers, enhancing the flavor of everything from breakfast to desserts.

Watch the video above as Mario and Rocky take us White Truffle Hunting

September is harvest season in Piemonte. Barolo, the King of Wines is first, and the White Truffle of Alba is the next in line. As usual, the Italians welcome these harvests with festivals!

This year, the festival starts in Vergne, a pictoresque hamlet between Barolo and Narzole, with the FESTA DELL'AMICIZIA E DEL BON VIN (festival of friendship and good wine), from September 3rd to 7th. The program includes dance, music, kites meetings, wine tastings and a photography exhibition. For further information call (+39)017377305 or (+39)3392264982

Next is the Barolo Wine Festival (Festa del Vino Barolo) in the town of Barolo September 11-13, 2009