THE GRATTACHECCA

 

One of the best ways to combat the heat of a hot day in Rome is to quench your thirst with a delicious grattachecca! This consists of a glass packed to the brim with grated ice which then is flavoured with fruit syrups, pieces of fresh lemon and coconut. Although this is cruncy at first, afterwards as the ice melts, this becomes a cool long drink. My favourite place selling this refreshing summer beverage is a little blue stand along the Via Flaminia at the corner of the Via Mariano Fortuny (near Piazzale Flaminio). Here a grattachecca is made by a gentle Roman lady who has been working at this stall since she was a young girl whan she helped her father who brought back from South America to Italy the very same ice-scrapper that she still uses today. She has been making grattachecca for generations of Romans. Indeed my grandfather, my father and I have all taken our girlfriends there. What better Roman experience? You must try one. I'm sure you will love both Nonna Graziella and her grattachecche!