EATING IN SEASON

Italians are passionate about good-quality food, which means using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. ‘Raccogliere’ (harvest) is when some of the most iconic Italian foods are tasting at their best – making September harvest a season to celebrate!

Using fresh and locally sourced produce is part of everyday life in Italy and key to cooking up the tastiest Italian dishes. So, we’re revealing Italy’s favourite foods from the September harvest and some authentic recipes to enjoy them in.

WHEN IS HARVEST TIME IN ITALY?

Some of Italy’s most popular foods are harvested from September, through to late December.

The taste, quality, texture, colour, and nutrition of the ‘raccolto’ (‘harvest’) are down to temperature, moisture, soil, humidity and other factors. These reach perfection in harvest season making it the best time to enjoy an Italian feast with family and friends, alongside a perfectly paired BIRRA MORETTI.

What’s in Season in September in Italy?

The autumn harvest season is the best time for foods like tomatoes, olives, truffles and grains (including barley, used to brew BIRRA MORETTI).

TOMATOES (SEPTEMBER)

Central to any Italian’s cooking, they add intense flavour and colour to food. The humble tomato transforms the easiest of dishes into something truly amazing.

The classic margherita pizza, along with staples like ‘pasta al pomodoro’, helped the iconic tomato rise to worldwide fame. Try out our nduja, basil, tomato and mozzarella pizza; it pairs brilliantly with BIRRA MORETTI Zero for an easy and tasty light lunch in good company.

DISCOVER OUR ‘NDUJA, BASIL, TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA PIZZA HERE

TRUFFLES (OCTOBER)

Truffles (‘tartufi’) are underground fungi (mushrooms) that grow close to the roots of certain trees. White truffles, considered the finest, are prized for their rarity, as well as their intense aroma and earthy flavour. This Italian delicacy is perfect for those extra special dishes and occasions with loved ones.

Italy’s white truffles need exactly the right weather and climate conditions to thrive and so aren’t commercially ‘farmed’ like black truffles. Foraging for them is an art, with Italian truffle hunters using dogs or pigs trained to smell out only the most perfectly ripe truffles.

With risotto being one of Italy’s most popular and famous dishes, it’s ideal for showcasing the much-loved Italian truffle. Why not give our truffle risotto recipe a try? The wholemeal notes of BIRRA MORETTI perfectly complement the nutty flavour of the Arborio rice.

DISCOVER OUR TRUFFLE RISOTTO HERE

OLIVES (OCTOBER/NOVEMBER)

Italian kitchens are always stocked with olives. They add salty and sharp flavours to simple dishes - transforming them into something special. Their taste and versatility make them enjoyable on their own with bread, scattered over pizza and in a variety of staple tomato pasta sauces.

Consider olives as part of any mouth-watering antipasti when you’re next entertaining friends. Try our antipasti with rosemary focaccia. It’s simple to put together but looks impressive and tastes delicious.

DISCOVER OUR ANTIPASTI WITH ROSEMARY FOCACCIA RECIPE HERE

BARLEY (SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER)

Most harvest seasons include the gathering of grains, including barley (‘orzo’). It’s the barley in BIRRA MORETTI that gives our beers that authentic Italian taste and wonderful aroma.

Outside of our brewing, there are two popular types of barley for eating; mondo (hulled barley) and perlato (pearled barley). Mondo barley is used in soups, while perlato is used in a wider range of Italian dishes as it cooks faster.

Barley is used in Italy for popular dishes like ‘orzotto’ (a ‘risotto-style’ dish) and ‘orzo e fagioli’ (barley and bean soup) too.

STICK WITH THE SEASONS

Italian cooking is all about fresh, seasonal and local food – it’s engrained in the culture and a way of life. It’s about enjoying food, as it was meant to be, prepared with love.

Why not try out this Italian simple pleasure for yourself by heading to your local farmer’s market? September is a great month for fresh seasonal UK produce, including Italian-cooking favourites like tomatoes, artichokes, aubergines, garlic, wild mushrooms, courgettes and shallots.

Check out our recipes for inspiration – they all pair brilliantly with BIRRA MORETTI L’Autentica and BIRRA MORETTI Zero.

DISCOVER OUR AUTHENTIC ITALIAN RECIPES HERE

BACK TO SIMPLE PLEASURES

Harvest season in Italy | Birra Moretti