How to Eat Like an Italian in September / October

As the lazy days of summer fade and the air gets a little crisper, Italy transforms its seasonal menu - and so does Carluccios!. September and October aren't just a bridge between summer and winter; they're a celebration of their own, filled with hearty, flavourful ingredients that are a joy to cook and eat. If you want to eat like an Italian this autumn, here's what to look for.

The Italian Harvest Table

Summer is all about lightness, but autumn brings a different kind of bounty. This is the season for the grape harvest (vendemmia), a time of immense cultural importance.

Fresh grapes, from the sweet and crisp 'uva fragola' (strawberry grape) to the 'uva Italia,' are enjoyed on their own as a healthy snack or dessert.

It's also the time for the new olive oil (olio nuovo). The first pressing of the olives creates a vibrant, peppery oil that is a culinary event in itself. Drizzled over a simple bruschetta or a bowl of creamy polenta, its fresh, pungent flavour is a taste of the season. To get that authentic taste, try our Carluccio's Extra Virgin Olive Oil, sourced from Calabria and perfect for this time of year.

The Best of Italy's Ingredients In Autumn 

Italy's autumn cuisine is built around a few key players.

• Mushrooms: The forests come alive with wild mushrooms, especially the prized porcini. You'll find them in everything from creamy risottos and rich pasta sauces to simply grilled with garlic and parsley. Our Porcini Risotto Mix is a fantastic and easy way to bring this flavour into your home, combining creamy rice with real dried porcini mushrooms.

• Truffles: The most celebrated of all autumn ingredients. Both the fragrant black truffle and the more intense white truffle are foraged during this period. A few shavings over a plate of pasta or eggs can turn a simple meal into an unforgettable feast. For an authentic taste of truffle luxury, a drizzle of our White Truffle Olive Oil over a simple dish of our artisan egg pasta will elevate any meal, but our limited edition truffle butter, truffle cream and truffle honey are not to be missed!

• Pumpkin and Squash: In Italy, pumpkin (zucca) is less about pies and more about savoury dishes. It's roasted, used in fillings for tortelli (especially in the north), or simmered into a silky soup.

• Chestnuts: Roasted chestnuts sold by street vendors are a classic autumn treat, but they also find their way into main dishes, ground into flour for gnocchi, or used whole in rich desserts.

A Simple Autumn Italian Menu

Ready to bring a taste of Italy to your table? Here’s a simple, delicious menu to get you started:

• Appetizer: A warm bruschetta topped with a generous drizzle of our Carluccio's Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a few slices of porcini mushrooms.

• First Course (Primo): A creamy risotto made with our Porcini Risotto Mix, or a rich pasta with a wild mushroom ragù using our authentic Filotea Pappardelle, a classic egg pasta perfect for holding a rich sauce.

• Main Course (Secondo): Slow-roasted pork with a side of chestnuts and seasonal greens.

• Dessert: Simple roasted pears or apples, drizzled with honey and served with a dollop of mascarpone.

This autumn, take a cue from the Italian kitchen. Slow down, celebrate the season's harvest, and enjoy the rich, earthy flavours that make this time of year so special. You can find everything you need to start your Italian autumn feast in our online deli.