L-R: Amerana gelato, stracciatella gelato, panna cotta
Canolli and cappuccino
GOOD EATS: LA DOLCE VITA GELATO & PASTRY
‘Fluffier Than Ice Cream’ By Rick Allen • Photos By John Jernigan
In these challenging times, Ocala’s Good Life is still scouring the area for delightful culinary diversions. How about some authentic Italian gelato and New York-style pastries to take your mind off of the pandemic for a few delicious moments?
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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined
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n countless episodes of Rick Steves’ journeys through Europe, the PBS travel guru somehow manages to find a gelato shop in nearly every town he visits. One might think it’s his favorite dessert. It’s no surprise. With a history extending back to the 1600s, gelato is exactly like ice cream, only different. It’s creamier, smoother, and silkier, containing
more milk and less cream, according to foodnetwork. com, and has 30 percent less fat than traditional ice cream. “It’s fluffier than ice cream,” explains Violet Merdita. She and her husband, Gjon (pronounced “Jon”), opened Marion County’s only artisan
