Polenta - America's Gift to Italy

/

Ancient Romans ground barley, fava beans and buckwheat to produce a porridge - long before Italians were eating polenta. However, the now-reviled Cristobal Colon returned from America with corn and it was first planted near Rovigo, southwest of Venice, in 1554.

Historians say that the first corn planted in Italy was a native American variety, Eight Row Flint, and was called the most flavorful polenta corn on the planet according to Glenn Roberts, a noted rare-seed collector. The corn thrived in the plains of the Po River and became a primary staple in Northern Italy.

Italians didn’t eat the corn while fresh, preferring to dry and grind it before boiling it. In the 18th Century, polenta was a popular street food in Venice, where vendors served it from cauldrons topped with butter or cheese - or both!.

The beauty of polenta is serving it warm as a side with butter and parmesan or gorgonzola, or as the base under sautéed greens or stewed meats. When it cools, it can be sliced and grilled or pan-fried.

On a recent trip to Venice, yellow polenta was served with guancia (pork cheeks) braised in red wine and porcini, while the fritto misto di pesce was served with white polenta.

In 2022, while we were forming a relationship with Mandy’s Farm in the South Valley (click here to read about the farm and it’s mission), Chefs Shawn and Cory were speaking with Paul, the man in charge of the crops program. He mentioned they would like to grow corn, so we imported seed corn from Italy and Mandy’s Farm planted, nurtured and harvested it for us. The initial planting only produced enough seed for two 50-foot rows, but they harvested enough seed this past month that we’ll plant four 100-foot rows next Spring. Then we’ll see some M’tucci’s Polenta!

Try our polenta in a variety of preparations at all of locations. M’tucci’s Bar Roma serves Herbed Polenta with Seared Duck Breast and has Rosemary Polenta as a side. M’tucci’s Twenty-Five has a Meatballs & Polenta Fritti appetizer and offers Creamy Mascarpone Polenta as a side. One of the most popular appetizers at M’tucci’s Italian is the Grigliata Mista, which serves grilled veggies over Grilled Roasted Garlic Polenta. Italian Sausage and Polenta is a favorite and the Roasted Garlic Polenta is available as a side dish. At M’tucci’s Moderno the Calabrian Braised Pork Shank is served with Creamy Mascarpone Polenta and has the same polenta as a side dish. Every location serves Sausage/Eggs & Creamy Mascarpone Polenta on the Brunch menu.

Last Weekend for 10:00am Brunch and Bloody Mary Bar at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five and M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Last Weekend for Special Balloon Fiesta Dessert!

Chocolate Budino Cake - Chocolate Meringue, Strawberry Creme Anglaise

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Gorgonzola Ricotta Filling, Cotto Ham, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Caramelized Onions, Brown Butter Sage Sauce, Pecorino, Pumpkin Seeds $25

14 oz. NY Strip - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $37

Pan-Seared Alaskan Halibut - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $36

Sackett Farms Pork Shank Confit - Creamy Polenta, Sautéed Spinach $27

Weekend Cocktail

A Suffering Fellow - Old Forester bourbon, Vara Gin, Fresh Lime Juice, Angostura Bitters, Ginger Beer Float


M’tucci’s Moderno

24 oz. Porterhouse - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde $43

Pan-Seared Rockfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichoke, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $27

Shrimp Diavolo - Caramelized Onion, Green Chile, Capers, White Wine, Marinara Sauce, House Made Spaghettini $23

Weekend Cocktail

Burbimpkin - Knob Creek bourbon, Pumpkin Syrup, Angostura Bitters

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Shrimp Risotto - Seared Shrimp, Roasted Fennel, Asparagus, Roasted Grape Tomatoes, Red Pepper Fennel Cream Sauce $24

Pan-Seared Bronzino - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $36

14 oz. Ribeye - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $43

Weekend Cocktail

Eclipse: Ring of Fire - Bailey’s Irish Cream, Creme de Cacao, Absolute Vanilla, Tiki Bitters

M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Sackett Farms Pork Chop - Spicy Blackberry Jam, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Apple & Kale Cream Salad $25

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Capers, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33

Weekend Cocktail

Pour it Out for my Hombres - Dos Hombres Mezcal, Meletti Amaro, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Strawberry Basil Shrub

Live Music for October

M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday

10/18 Eryn Bent

10/25 Lani Nash

M’tucci’s Moderno - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday 

10/13 Jacob Chavez 

10/19 RJ Perez 

10/20 Lani Nash

10/26 Oscar Butler

10/27 Matt Jones

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday  

10/13 Justin Nuñez 

10/20 Johnny Lloyd

10/26 Shane Wallin

10/27 Martin York

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!