Summer is officially the season of the scampagnata (picnic) and Italians have an incredible array of fare that gets enjoyed al fresco. Dining in the great outdoors, whether on a picnic blanket or gathered around the backyard grill is an opportunity to enjoy la dolce vita in the company of friends and family.
Here are some of the most popular dishes that make up the movable feasts of the Bel Paese.
Antipasti: all the traditional charcuterie board favourites cheeses, cured meats and pickled vegetables, made portable to enjoy even in the great outdoors.
Panino con la frittata: omelettes made using seasonal ingredients that are sandwiched between slices of crusty Italian bread
Pizza Rustica: this savoury Neapolitan pie makes its appearance right at the beginning of Italian picnic season, during Pasquetta (Easter Monday). It consists of a buttery short crust pastry that is filled with a decadent combination of ricotta, eggs, cheeses and various salumi (mortadella, soppressata, etc.). Because it is enjoyed best at room temperature it is the perfect picnic pie.
Focaccia: there’s nothing like a slice of focaccia the day after its baked when all the flavours of the tomatoes, herbs and olives have had a chance to really sink into the beautifully bubbled dough. In Puglia it is a popular street food that is consumed outdoors (often accompanied by beer) so naturally it makes a great take along for an excursion. Want to make the ultimate scampagnata sandwich, slice open the focaccia and fill it with thinly sliced mortadella.
Panino di Parmigiana: it is not uncommon to bake up a tray of parmigiana alla melanzana (eggplant parmigiana) the day before a picnic so that it has time to set and get sliced outdoors. Parmigiana is also fantastic sandwich between bread increasing its portability factor.
Pomodorino Ripieni: tuna stuffed cherry tomatoes. The tomatoes are halved, and the pulp is combined with tuna and mayonnaise (sometimes capers) and then stuffed back into the tomatoes for a deliciously elegant little mouthful.
Croquettes: whether the rice and meat sauce suppli or creamy potato croquettes, these crispy golden bites make great finger food to enjoy al fresco.
Frittelle: crispy fritters made with zucchini, zucchini blossoms or other vegetables are a welcome addition to any outdoor buffet especially when accompanied by the aforementioned antipasti. Sicilian chickpea flour fritters known as panelli are also wonderful for a picnic; they can be enjoyed on their own with a squeeze of lemon or between a sesame topped bun for the classic pane e panelli.
Insalata di riso: like a pasta salad (which are prepared as well) but made with rice. They can either be mayonnaise-based salads or vinaigrette-based ones. In addition to rice salads, farro salads are also quite popular for picnics (particularly in the Tuscan region).
Frutta: the most common fruit to enjoy in the open air across the peninsula is watermelon, in fact it is not unusual to see Italians digging holes along the seashore in which to bury the melon and keep it cool until it can be enjoyed. Other summer fruits include peaches (which are great for soaking in wine), strawberries (which are incredible macerated with balsamic vinegar and basil) and figs.
So next time you’re planning what to pack up for your picnic, consider some of these Italian essentials. It may even have you feeling as though you’re under the Tuscan sun in your own backyard. Buon Appetito!
