ITALIAN IN THE AUTUMN
We all have our favorite seasonal comfort foods. Soup on a cold winter’s day. A glass of lemonade when the summer sun warms our skin a little too much. Italian food – in all its assorted glory – brings comfort food for all seasons. And in the Autumn, look no further than a menu that includes ingredients such as chestnuts, truffles and pie.
Mushrooms and chestnuts are two autumn Italian favorites. The Italian countryside is dotted with these delicious treats and people across the world enjoy their taste. And in the autumn, when the sun sets a little sooner and the leaves are brilliant in their deep gold and red colors, there is nothing like an evening in Italy enjoying the comforts of its autumn foods and savoring a little dessert, too. Luckily, in today’s world, you don’t have to be in Italy to enjoy Italy’s fall flavors. There are plenty of Italian restaurants where you can go and enjoy. And I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to pretend you’re in a little slice of Italy while you sit not too far from your own door.
ITALIAN IN THE WINTER
Winter is a time to stay warm. And for those who like Italian food, it is also a time to enjoy some hearty cooking. When Autumn turns to winter and everyone begins to pull on their heavy wool coats, Italian chefs begin to bring out comforting Italian dishes perfect for wiping away the chill of a winter’s day. Flavors from stuffed pastas, meat loaves and delicious Tuscan-style stews delight everyone. And the smells emanating from the kitchen on a winter’s day make even the coldest day into a warm one.
For those who enjoy cooking shows, look no further than Italian chef Jamie Oliver’s very own cooking show to learn about some spicy winter’s day Italian treats. From recipes like Roast Cauliflower with Parmesan and Pancetta to Rigatoni with Eggplant Puree, Giada knows how to make good food when the chill of winter is too much to bear. Everyone enjoys comfort food, and Italian recipes are certainly good at ensuring their foods are always comforting.
ITALIAN IN THE SUMMER
When summer days are finally upon us, we often use it as an excuse to stay outside long into the evening. Lazy summer weekends are times to play. Dinners are enjoyed from outdoor terraces and patios. Cuisine during the summer often is light and airy – and Italian food doesn’t disappoint when it comes to creating comforting summer dishes.
Veggies sautéed in olive oil, seafood, pasta and, of course, gelato (after playing in the sun all day) are crisp, light and perfect for an evening summer meal. Italian cooking is good for all seasons, but what makes it so wonderful is the diversity of the ingredients that are perfect for different times of the year. It might get hot outside during the summertime, but in a kitchen where an Italian meal is cooking, the heat from a summer afternoon will soon be lightened from the deliciousness of an easy summer Italian recipe.
ITALIAN IN THE SPRING
When the flowers begin to bloom and the occasional rain shower surprises the cities, Italian recipes begin to focus on dishes with ingredients such as asparagus, lamb and fish. They are light, they are airy and they remind people that winter does not last forever.
With the arrival of spring, food festivals become quite commonplace. People enjoy coming together to cook and share their most famous spring delicacies. At the Sagra dello Stoccafisso, chefs prepare fish covered in garlic, tomato sauce, anchovies and olives. Another festival in Rome, the Sagra del Carciofo is a time to enjoy artichokes cooked in a variety of creative ways.
Spring gives people the opportunity to finally enjoy the sun after months of dreary winter weather. Food festivals in Italy allow everyone to celebrate together – a time to embrace their culture and their love of fine food while commemorating this change to a new season.
ITALIAN WINE
Italy has been renowned for its variety of wines for a long time. And there are reasons why it is the world’s largest exporter of this beverage. Though the main types of wine are red and white, Italian wines differ in taste according to the region in which the grapes are grown. There are twenty wine regions total in Italy and each has its own subtle difference in flavour. If you want to sample a large selection of wines here in Glasgow, try Glasgow’s only Enoteca – the Italian Caffe.
The variety of Italian wines available to the average consumer can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, for those of us who are not wine connoisseurs, Italian restaurants (and often the wine bottle labels as well) frequently recommend a particular meal that will perfectly complement your Italian wine.
From sweet to dry to sparkling, there is always an Italian wine that will suit any occasion. Perhaps the Italians adeptness at creating flavors that yield easily to the tastes of Italian meals is one of the reasons their wines are such international superstars.
