It’s common knowledge that Italy offers some of the world’s most renowned dining experiences ranging from Michelin star fine dining establishments to hidden gems like off the beat trattorias, but do not underestimate the quality gastronomic experience a properly organized outdoor picnic can provide. Spring through Fall, Italians always find an excuse to get outdoors and the art of the picnic is no exception: what’s better than feasting on delicious regional specialties and sipping luscious wines in good company while doing it all at a budget nonetheless?!

In order to gather all the essentials of a truly authentic Italian picnic toss your reusable shopping bags in the front basket of your bicicletta (bicycle) and hit the village streets like a true local.  In under an hour you can hit a half dozen of the following neighborhood negozi (shops) to score local goodies fundamental to creating the most perfetto picnic all’italiana.

Panificio (bakery): first and foremost don’t forget the pane! Grab some crusty loaves of rustic bread, soft rosemary focaccias or simple sandwich rolls, available in various types of flour and grains depending on your taste. Artisanal breadsticks & pizzette (mini pizzas) are always a good idea to stock up on too while you’re there.

Salumeria (deli): get lost in bountiful displays of aged hams, Fratelli Beretta salami and roasts including mortadella, parma ham and porchetta. Order by the “etto”( 100gr) so you can taste a number of different specialties.

Latteria (cheese shop): pick a few of your favorites from classic fresh mozzarella pearls simply served on toothpicks to aged parmiggiano easy enough to crumble and pair with some local honey.

Enoteca (wine shop): now that you’ve got your main ingredients down it’s time to hit the wine shop to find the perfect vino to enhance your authentic spread- don’t be hesitant to try the local wines available on draft, the shop assistant will just use any empty water bottles you bring.

Fruttivendolo (fresh produce shop): these mom & pop style shops offer seasonal fruit and vegetables so look for picnic friendly options like clementines, apples or sliced melon depending on the season. A handful of nuts and a small container of marinated olives are always a winning addition as well.

Pasticceria (pastry shop): Don’t forget to pick out a few pastine (mini pastries) like almond tarts or chocolate truffles to pair with that glass of sweet dessert wine at the end of the meal.

If you’re not in the mood to embark on a such a cultural adventure by meandering through these shops you can always just run into a paninoteca (sandwich shop) for a classic brown bag style picnic and have them make up a few plain panini (sandwiches). Otherwise a local rosticceria (fry shop) will offer a small selection of ready-made sides and “take away” roast chickens. Either way, with just less than 10 euros a person a real Italian feast fit for a king can be thrown together pretty quickly, especially when a bunch of friends meet up to share the potluck affair.

Don’t forget basic picnic supplies, especially a good knife and a corkscrew for that divine wine!

Ideal picnic spots aren’t just majestic hilltops and wild flower fields- get creative and find a cozy spot even in the larger cities including parks and gardens, just not directly at a major monument.

 

 

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Photo & entry credit: Liz Garrity

One of the best ways to experience local culture in Italy is to visit & explore various regional open air markets. For a true glimpse and taste of the “la dolce vita” dive into an authentic piazza “mercato”: you name it and you can usually find it from fresh produce, fish, meat, salami, cheese, honey, chocolate, spices, pasta, rice, nuts, wine, flowers, plants, clothing, antiques, hardware, linens, purses, luggage and eyewear. From medieval village squares to the main cities’ large piazzas, outdoor markets are abound this time of year. Typical setups range from old-world charm permanent stone arcade stalls to simple tent-like booths. Italian vendors put on quite a display of goods- these are not your basic farmers markets so take your time to stroll around and absorb the authentic atmosphere.

One of the greatest aspects to the food markets is seasonality. The selection of produce that is offered is based on the growing and harvesting seasons of Italy. Remember that Europeans in general, especially Italians, live by a slow food “0 km” philosophy. Mother nature provides her bounty for a reason so eat food when it’s actually meant to be consumed: according to the season! Don’t expect to find chestnuts and butternut squash at the height of summer or asparagus and strawberries in the dead of winter. Make sure to tell the stall vendor when you plan on using the specific ingredient since the freshly picked/harvested produce usually only has a few days shelf life. In order to provide the most suitable goods, they normally will ask you if you plan on using the item in a recipe today or in a couple days…not any longer! Tutto fresco = fresh means fresh. In the US we are often tricked into thinking that produce that sits a week or two out in a bowl on our kitchen counter is normal….it’s not! This is another reason why local markets are often held daily or at least twice a week in Italy… the signoras food shop almost every day. In the Northern region of the Veneto take a stroll in Padova’s outdoor & indoor markets- open every day except Sunday and the crowds will be the same every morning: Piazza delle Erbe (herbs, spices & vegetables), Piazza della Frutta (seasonal fruit & dry goods), Palazzo della Ragione (meat, salami, fish, cheese, pasta, wine bars), Piazza dei Signori (housewares, clothing, leather goods).

Another magnificent characteristic to the Italian market culture is regionality.

Compare the selection of goods from the iconic Ballarò market in Palermo to the famous Rialto fish market in Venice and you’ll get a real sense of how diverse local traditions and regional cuisine can truly be.

 

A few practical tips for meandering your way through the stalls like a true local:

-Markets in Italy are cash only.

-Minimal protocol exists when it comes to lines so stand your ground in the crowds to get the vendors attention. When they shout “il prossimo” (next) get in there!

-Pounds vs. kilos can get tricky as Italians order by the “etto” (100grams) so sometimes it’s easier to just order by units, example 3 pears, 2 eggplant, etc.

-Bring your own eco-friendly shopping bags, some vendors charge extra for plastic bags.

-Get there early- markets usually shut down at lunch time so by noon the pickings start to get slim.

 

 

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Photo & entry credit: Liz Garrity

With the arrival of sunnier, warmer days, Spring in Italy is the perfect time of year to spend more time outdoors. Mild temperatures and longer daylight hours provide ideal conditions for leisure activities. Italians thrive on being in touch with nature so the cool aria fresca (fresh air) of early Spring allows for numerous opportunities to head outside before the real summer Italian heat kicks in. Of course this season is beautiful in many regions of the world, but the Bel Paese truly offers magical and stunning views of verdant landscapes over the next couple of months. It’s also an ideal time to travel as the tourist season is just commencing, so,  before the hordes of international crowds arrive, many Italians take mini vacations & road trips across the peninsula to discover new captivating places.

So where to go and what to do with so many options? Here’s a quick rundown on some of the local favorite traditional activities.
LA BICICLETTA

Electric green grassy hillsides attract adventurous cyclists this time of year. Rolling hills in many regions provide the ideal landscape to explore via bike- from beginner to advanced itineraries you can immerse yourself in vibrant wildflower fields, stretches of sparkling  blue lakes and even snow traced alpine trails. This year, the famous  spring multistage  bike race Giro d’Italia,  celebrates 108 years-  all true cycling enthusiasts will line village streets and mountain roads to cheer on their favorite team.

LA PASSEGGIATA

A majority of Italians perform daily activities like running errands by foot so the art of the passeggiata (stroll) is an old time favorite. Friends & family hit local parks, country footpaths & coastal promenades to enjoy both relaxing strolls as well as intense hikes and trekking adventures. On sunny springtime Sunday afternoons most village squares and every main piazza in the bigger cities become packed with locals getting fresh air,  just casually strolling around enjoying one’s company over an aperitivo or gelato.
L’ACQUA

The geology of Italy is rich in volcanic phenomena- the highly dense network of underground water channels results in numerous thermal bath regions across the territory. Early Spring is typically the time of year Italians hit the spas to rejuvenate after a long winter and prep their mind and body for the upcoming season. Since Roman times, Italians have turned to the acqua magica (magical water) for healing as well as leisure. Many of these mineral rich springs lie naturally in culturally rich areas where nowadays resort towns offer the ideal spot to make several excursions and day trips during an Italian spa vacation. Hotel spas offer daily entrance tickets so local families often spend a day at the terme, kids in tow.
LA GUIDA

Escorted tours and organized group activities are becoming more & more popular- with so many cultural events and outdoor celebrations occurring nationwide Italians have become increasingly interested in exploring new places via a local guida, tour guide. From vineyard and museum tours, castle and villa visits, to food and musical festivals, a local guide can offer a unique perspective. Many institutions like theaters, archeological sites, monuments and galleries offer discounted rates and special free events this time of year so there’s always something new to explore, even in one’s hometown.

Exploring the wonders of Spring in Italy can certainly work up an appetite. What better way to satisfy the tastebuds then with Fratelli Beretta’s new Artichoke Antipasto all Beretta paired with a delicious Marsala as you take in the delights of the season.

Recipe can be found http://www.fratelliberettausa.com/recipes/artichoke-antipasto-alla-beretta/

 

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Photo & entry credit: Liz Garrity

The month of March in Italy initiates the season of many Spring festivals, commencing with the grand “tavolata” of San Giuseppe on March 19th, otherwise known as St. Joseph’s table.

As the patron saint of the family, Italians also celebrate Father’s Day on this date. Joseph embodies many fatherly symbols including love, compassion, generosity and acceptance. As tradition has it, this feast brings together the whole family & more often than not, friends & neighbors to honor & commemorate the Saint while showing their gratitude to the father figure in the family. Typically the children in the family will present their fathers with small tokens of their love and appreciation, as customarily seen in other countries on this holiday.

Traditionally, Italian families will attend mass in the morning & then gather at a family member’s home to celebrate all’italiana by preparing a luscious feast, though strictly meatless as the celebration does fall during Lent. Many towns where San Giuseppe is also the local patron Saint, there will be week-long festivals leading up to the 19^th , including parades and musical events.

Italy wide the gastronomic tradition focuses on specialty sweets & desserts as well as breads & cookies that vary from region to region. Joseph is honored by the Italians with a unique pastry because as the legend goes, he once made & sold puff pastry style sweets in between carpentry jobs. Another legend recounts that the actual crumbs symbolize sawdust & therefore recall his artisanal carpentry profession.

Either way, Italians will always find a way to celebrate their love & manifest their gratefulness by means of the cucina italiana and then sharing those delicious dishes with loved ones- the Festa di San Giuseppe is no exception to that tradition!

These particular pastries take different names & forms depending on the region. In Sicily the famous Zeppole are prepared: deep fried scrumptious dough balls, while the Romans and Florentines prepare cream filled puff pastry bignè that will have you salivating at the street front shop window displays.

In Northern Italy tradition calls for the classic frittelle “fritter dough balls” and crostoli, a thin puff pastry sprinkled with powdered sugar. Most Italian mammas have their own special family recipe & of course every bakery & pastry shop fills their windows this time of year with take-away trays for the household feast.

In Southern Italy, especially in Sicily, the family ritual involves preparing an abundant buffet style large table, often with an altar dedicated to Saint Joseph, with all the lovingly crafted delicacies perfectly decorated & plated to gaze upon. Towering breads & pastries will also be accompanied by savory vegetable & seafood dishes including stuffed artichokes, frittatas, fried shrimp and calamari.

 

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Photo & entry credit: Liz Garrity