A LONG LIFE Chianina Chianina is an ancient breed of beef, originating in central Italy. The castrated male, traditionally used as a work animal, was an efficient tractor, Mother Natures gift to man; beautiful, powerful, creamy white. The animal became almost a member of the family, a valuable asset to the farmer. The Chianina steer pulled plows and transported wagons filled with goods. He served man for centuries. Chianina cattle were admired by Virgil, Carducci calls them “pious”. At the end of the First World War, with farming families bereft of workers, it became difficult to feed such large animals, and so the castrated male was replaced by the cow, female, which while slightly less powerful, was equally valid for plowing the fields, and gave birth to a calf that when sold, along with the milk, supplemented the family income . With the arrival of motorization, our Chianina, began its decline as a work animal. But the Chianina breed has made a comeback today as a beef animal, maintaining those original aspects of: juicy meat, lovely consistency, etc. In the past, these animals were respectfully slaughtered at the end of their working career, their lives had the lengthy, slow pace of the countryside, traveling in harmony with the life of man. Giovanni and Marco Manetti have recreated this harmony, with a herd of Chianina in line with the times, that I, Dario Cecchini, take care of. On the Fontodi estate, they breed Long life Chianina. Their herd of cattle are warmly cared for, and well-fed with barley, grass and hay, all grown on the estate, right up to the day of their compassionate death. The vines and fields are fertilized with their manure, in one full and harmonious cycle. This beef represents a very small part of the meat we work at the Macelleria Cecchini. It is only served in our restaurants, and announced those rare times that we have it. It is neither better nor worse than the wonderful meat we serve every day. What it is, is a romantic idea that serves us to contemplate Meat & Spirit , that is, the life of the animals we raise. Dario Cecchini - Butcher
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 13:51:17 +0000
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