Ritrovo Exalts 'Precious Mineral', Launches '... & Salt' Line

RITROVO uses internationally-acclaimed ‘Truffle & Salt’ as centerpiece for Casina Rossa ‘… & Salt’ collection, including sensational ‘Saffron & Salt’, ‘Sweet & Salt’, signature addition ‘Fennel Salt' by famed Chef Don Curtiss

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) February 24, 2006 -- Three exciting new salts join Casina Rossa’s internationally-renowned ‘Truffle & Salt’ to form the nucleus of Ritrovo’s ‘… & Salt’ line. Introduced at the winter 2006 Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, CA, each of these four salts received critical praise and have been chosen to bear A RITROVO SELECTION on its label.

“Truffle & Salt is on its way to legend status”, says Ilyse Rathet, co-owner of Ritrovo ™ Italian Regional Foods and Wines LLC. “ It was an overnight smash, due to its originality (first in both US. and Italian markets) and intoxicating aroma (40 grams of air-dried Italian black truffle in each 3.5 oz. jar). Truffle & Salt makes everything from vegetable and egg dishes to meat dishes to hot fudge sauce into something incredible—and popcorn will never be the same!”

Saffron & Salt, the first new ‘… and Salt’ addition, is regionally-inspired. Saffron was central to the economy of Abruzzo (where producer Casina Rossa is located) throughout the Medieval period, and its re-planting is part of an effort to reintroduce traditional crops to the rural economy. Saffron & Salt is beautiful in its vibrant orange color, with whole saffron filaments mixed in, and its captivating flavor is perfect for white meat, seafood, and rice-based dishes.

Sweet & Salt, Ritrovo’s second new salt, is a one-of-a-kind condiment also inspired by Casina Rossa’s native Abruzzo. Embodying the “Forte e Gentile” (“Strong and Gentle”) nature of the people of Abruzzo, this salt is brilliantly balanced between sweet, savory, and salty ingredients such as concentrated, air-dried and finely-screened mosto cotto (cooked-down grape must from the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine grape), sweet baking spices and dried fruits, even salt crystal-sized nuggets of dark chocolate and toasted vanilla bean. Sweet & Salt is sensational, a creative chef’s muse with endless possibilities, ready to sprinkle on cheese ravioli, pork tenderloin, salad greens with balsamic vinegar, even on chocolate sweets.

Fennel Salt represents a joint marketing effort between Ritrovo and Chef Don Curtiss of Seattle’s internationally-acclaimed Volterra Restaurant. This flavor-packed condiment is made with toasted, organic fennel seed, organic orange peel, and other traditional and typical flavors of the Italian peninsula. Fennel Salt is a staple at Volterra along with Ritrovo import Trampetti Extra Virgin olive oil, used as an accompaniment to its bread service and showing Curtiss’ concern for top-quality ingredients. “Chef Curtiss’ salt was a natural for addition to our ‘… & Salt’ line,” exclaims Ron Post, Ritrovo co-founder. “We are pleased to partner with Ritrovo to bring Volterra signature Fennel salt to grocers and specialty food stores nationwide,” says Chef Curtiss. “It’s bold flavor enhances meat and seafood dishes and is also incredible with potatoes and eggs.”

Ritrovo is proud to introduce the multi-faceted “… & Salt” line nationwide, with each salt’s endorsement as “A RITROVO SELECTION”. “These salts represent a winning combination of Italy’s finest ingredients with a fine sense of what appeals to the American specialty food consumer,” says Ritrovo co-president Ron Post.“And the addition of Chef Don Curtiss’ Fennel Salt also emphasizes Ritrovo’s interest in supporting regional artisans.”

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