What are the typical Tuscan dishes to enjoy in summer?
Discover traditional Tuscan summer cuisine on the Castello Banfi blog.
Tuscan summer dishes: which ones to try on holiday?
In this sunny summer, the desire to indulge in fresh, healthy meals during a holiday in Tuscany tantalises the palates of the many tourists present, who, however, do not want to miss out on the unique taste experience that the region has to offer and who are therefore looking for the most typical Tuscan summer dishes.
Tuscany, a land of culinary excellence, offers a rich assortment of typical Tuscan summer recipes that embrace the bounty of seasonal delights and the secrets of an ancient food and wine tradition. At home or in a restaurant, typical Tuscan summer dishes glow with colours and flavours, in a riot of taste that involves all the senses.
Where to try them:
The ideal place to enjoy Tuscan summer recipes is La Taverna Restaurant, which embodies the quintessence of regional cuisine and tradition. Nestled in a landscape of rolling green hills and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, beneath the vaults of the ancient cellars of the Castello Banfi Wine Resort, La Taverna emerges as the ideal culinary temple for savoring authentic and genuine dishes, a true ode to summer in Tuscany. But what are the most famous and appreciated Tuscan summer dishes?
Tuscan summer starters
Farinata is one of the most popular Tuscan summer appetizers: this chickpea flour dish is ideal for a light lunch break or as a tasty appetizer. Golden and crispy on the outside, it has a soft and flavorful center. It can be enjoyed hot, on its own, or accompanied by a platter of typical regional cold cuts and cheeses for a traditional appetizer, but it is also perfect to take to the beach or on trips out of town to visit the beautiful Tuscan countryside, as it retains its fragrance and delicious, authentic flavor for quite some time.
As the name suggests, acciughe alla povera (poor man's anchovies) is one of the traditional Tuscan summer appetizers, which over the centuries has developed typical Tuscan summer recipes using genuine, flavorful ingredients. Acciughe alla povera, a typical Livorno recipe, is a riot of flavors that satisfies even the most demanding palates, as well as being very simple to prepare. Once the anchovies have been cleaned, they are marinated for six hours in white wine vinegar and then seasoned with Tropea onions and classic onions, arranged in layers like a sort of lasagna and enriched with chili pepper and extra virgin olive oil.
Crostini with fegatini are one of the typical Tuscan summer recipes that are a must: with their intense flavor and peasant origins, they embody the very essence of Tuscan food and wine and are perfect for enjoying in any season.
Tuscan summer first courses
In most typical Tuscan recipes, both summer and otherwise, stale bread or croutons are among the most commonly used ingredients, as is the case with the famous tuscan panzanella. This dish is often considered the summer version of vegetable soup or a heartier salad and is so deeply rooted in Tuscan tradition that even Boccaccio mentions it in one of his novellas. The freshness of ripe tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers, the intense flavor of red onion, the aroma of fresh basil and olive oil, mixed together with fragrant croutons of toasted Tuscan bread, create a combination that tantalizes the palate and the senses on hot summer days.
Another tasty Tuscan summer dish famous throughout the region is pici all'aglione, seasoned with Slow Food Presidium Chiana aglione, extra virgin olive oil, and tomato.
Another tasty Tuscan summer dish famous throughout the region is pici all’aglione, seasoned with Slow Food Presidium aglione from Chiana, extra virgin olive oil, and tomato.
Tuscan summer main courses
Whether it's Tuscan summer seafood or meat dishes, Tuscany always offers tasty traditional recipes. One of these is cacciucco alla livornese, a fish soup served with croutons. Once a symbol of peasant cuisine because it was made with fish scraps, in more recent times it has been revisited by top chefs who use top-quality ingredients such as seafood and shellfish: an excellent Tuscan summer seafood dish.
And we cannot fail to include grilled Florentine steakamong Tuscan summer dishes, accompanied by a side dish of fresh tomatoes, for a hearty and flavorful meal that is very easy to prepare.
Tuscan Summer Sweets
Tuscany, the undisputed queen of culinary art, boasts a pastry-making tradition as ancient as the cities that have shaped the history of this region. Among its most prized desserts, cantucci and ricciarelli are undoubtedly the stars of the culinary tradition. Free of cream and therefore easier to store in summer, they tantalize the senses and delight the palate: as Tuscan summer desserts, they are practical to take with you to the beach or serve at the table as dessert.
Finally, among Tuscan summer dishes, there are also some fresh recipes for preparing summer desserts and cakes. One example is the tuscan lattaiolo. This mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, and flour takes shape in the oven, revealing its creamy texture, from which the fresh fragrance of cinnamon and lemon emanates. It can be enjoyed by the spoonful or cut into squares and decorated with a generous sprinkling of powdered sugar.
