La Madia gluten free pastry shop

La Madia is a gluten free pastry shop in Turin. It was founded three years ago by the nice and cheerful Loredana who, combining a good dose of savoir-faire and determination, made it become one-to-go place in the city if you are looking for comfort gluten free food.

Yesterday I had the sweet tooth and I decided to go there. I always travel with the subway (underground) so I took Line 1 – Molinette stop – and to my surprise, the subway was looking clean, tidy, and Rossini was being played loud through speakers, how wonderful!

When I arrived at La Madia, I felt twice lucky as I found freshly home-made “bugie”! This is one of those dream-come-true moment because everybody who is familiar with this typical Italian pastry made in late January and February to celebrate Carnival knows how hard work it requires (today most local shops buy them already made directly from the industry).

This did not discouraged Loredana one bit! She tells me she makes hers using gluten free rice flour, butter and a sprinkle of white wine; they are fried but, believe me, they were dry and light, I ate them and for me having known those with gluten in a previous life, I couldn’t remember the difference, they were incredibly good!

And what about the “grissini”, those long crunchy alternative-to-bread sticks that I chose for the post cover picture?! They are gluten free, freshly home-baked and just fantastic.

They are typical of the region of Piemonte and accompany every meal of people living in Turin. I love eating them with Parma Prosciutto wrapped all around. Everyday Loredana also bakes fresh gluten free bread, pizza, cakes,  tarts, cookies: some of them are lactose and egg free as well.

La Madia is also specialised in catering. Enjoy!