Cooking Class Time! Let’s Make Pesto in the Hills of Cinque Terre

Full Episode description

Join hosts Asher and Kristen as they board the Culture Train and return to Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre, Italy! After visiting the colorful cliffside villages, today they head uphill to learn the true art of Ligurian pesto from Ms Barbara—right in her fragrant basil garden with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. From basil grown in nearby Pra’ to marble pestles and pine nuts, discover the traditions and flavors that make pesto à la Genovese so special.

• Fasten your imaginary aprons—we’re making pesto the Ligurian way: buzzing basil gardens, marble mortars, and salt-sprinkled sea breezes.

• Discover ingredient secrets: sweet Pra’-grown basil, two-year-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, fresh Italian pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and sea salt.

• Learn why using a cold marble mortar matters

• Cultural connections: hear how veggies, herbs, and cooking pass through generations, from Ms Barbara’s grandmother to our family kitchens.

‍ Meet Ms Barbara

A passionate Ligurian cook and educator who learned pesto-making from her grandmother as a child. She now welcomes guests into her hillside Cinque Terre home to share the art of authentic Genovese pesto—a beautiful blend of herbs, history, and Mediterranean flavor.

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• Email: culturekidspodcast@gmail.com

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For More Information and Visit Ms. Barbara:

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