A number of readers have asked for more information about the traditional frascas or frasche.

We have found it difficult to locate a definitive source for these local variants of the trattoria, but we thank the Comune of Gorizia for letting us know about the following initiative.

Called “MENU DEL MILLENARIO”: TRATTORIE, RISTORANTI E “FRASCHE”, it featured 25 eating places which will serve up special menus of Isontina gastronomy to celebrate Gorizia's 1000 year birthday.

Many of the frascas are located in the Gorizia hinterland and the sign over the door is a guarantee of good food.

Traditionally, the dishes served were only made from homemade and seasonal ingredients such as 'vino novello' and salami.

Try this Frasca.

The Osteria da Tita at Lucinico (GO) is one classic frasca. They may just be serving the following.

First Course: 'La jota alla goriziana' a minestrone soup of cabbage or beetroot with beans and potatoes; 'lo struccolo bollito' a pasta roll stuffed with spinach, parmesan cheese and ricotta; 'i blecs' pasta squares served with a rabbit and chicken sauce; 'spazle', a type of Austrian gnocchi; 'I slicrofi', a Slovenian ravioli filled with potatoes, bacon, onions and parmesan cheese; sausage risotto; liver slices with aromatic herbs.

Second Course: 'Gulasch alla carne' with a spicy sauce; fresh pork sausages with polenta; tripe; rabbit and cod; fried sardines; seasonal vegetables such as 'radicchio' with bacon and beans and 'ardilut' or 'valeriana'.

Sweet Course: 'Putizza' made from beer; 'struccolo' (light pastry with apples and breadcrumbs fried in butter; 'palacinke', a jam omelette made from the 'marmellata alla gubana', symbol of Gorizia.