The winter solstice marks the start of the fruit tree pruning season so it was a treat to be invited to an orchardists' table in the Red Hill country kitchen of Teresa Zarlenga (Kitchen Garden, March 1). I joined Dr Mark O'Connor, of O'Connor, and Dr Jonathan Banks, of Pialligo, for an orchard walk among the trees which had put on a lot of top growth due to La Nina rains and healthy soil provided by Teresa. Mark learnt via my column about Teresa's 28 fruit trees, including five feijoas, and introduced her to his colleague Jonathan.
At the table, both men commented on the row of vibrant orange persimmons lining the sill of a large bay window, a gift to Teresa from a friend. We relished Teresa's favourite dish from her Italian childhood, ragu bianco di agnello, vino e cipolla and pappardelle al-uovo fatte in casa (white ragu with lamb, wine and onion and homemade egg pappardelle with pecorino).
