Ferragosto – Italian Holiday
I love celebrations and parties, especially where they combine great food and wine. One of the recent discoveries for me that is an Italian tradition that makes August fun for the tourist, is the Italian holiday of Ferragosto. If you like parties and foodie events with lots of great food and wine. You will almost certainly love Ferragosto. Perhaps not widely participated in by non-Italians, but this is one of the big holidays of the year for Italian people. Ostensibly it celebrates the ascension of Mary, so it’s a catholic holiday.
Nowadays, it basically a party for the whole country. In fact, many Italians, who can, still take much of August off. I guess that’s because the weather is so wonderful and its so hot, so its hard to concentrate and work when the beach or lake are calling louder. For Ferragosto, there seems to be a build-up day and the main day itself. This is marked by big gatherings in large homes, or events in villages in towns. It’s a joyful time for friends and families to reconnect and have fun. Food and music are a big part of it. The food of course varies by region with Italy, so regional and local dishes are preferred still.
Umbria is a recent rediscovery for me. I have been lucky enough to makes friends with a group of people originating from Umbria and now I am connected to the region. Umbria might be described as the slightly more modest understated version of Tuscany. However, it shares similar landscapes of rolling misty hills, lines of stately architectural cypress trees punctuating the view, their dark green coniferous profiles contracting the terracotta and browns of the soil or crops and sharing isolated villages perched on hilltops
In this land-locked neighbour of Tuscany, Umbria, Italy’s Cuore Verde (green heart), meat and vegetables are very much in evidence on the tables. Its all about sharing, so tables are overloaded, and kitchens are busy to ensure the gathered groups are well catered for. Cold cuts, local Salumi, Prosciutto Ham, Cheeses. On the hot food side, when it comes to Ferragosto, there will be celebratory additions, maybe a picanha of steak, suckling pig, home-made focaccia, pasta dishes with ragu sauce, usually made my one of the local Nonna’s (grandmothers).
Cooking is often outdoors where people can, on barbecues or open ovens. It a feast for the eyes, nose and stomach. The small of cooking drives your appetite while everyone chats over wine or beer. Wines are light and cold, often sparkling. Prosecco of course, but less well known outside of Italy, Franciacorta. This joyful sparkling wine, closer to French champagne or crémant in style, comes from Lombardy in northern Italy. Made from a small production in a tiny wine growing area just 200kmsq, not far from Bergamo and Milan, situated by lake Iseo. I find it significantly better than prosecco, but of course quality costs a little more. Its is very soft and silky on the palate and the mousse is almost creamy, whilst bright and refreshing, but maybe not with the weight or richness I sometimes find with champagne. Its not sold widely in the UK, but, you can find it online and in places like Majestic.
This regionality and quality of food and wine is typical of the things I am looking to enjoy. The finding of new things that you love is so satisfying. As a continual explorer of life, any adventure or discovery of new things is always appealing. Italy is a rich treasure trove of discoveries waiting for you. For me I love the history, art, food, wine and social culture, as well as the many spectacular landscapes. Italy really is like an onion that you can keep peeling off a layer at a time. You can see the onion and then you realise there is another layer. You might experience some business, some destination on a holiday, the food while you are there. However, if you make friends and get away from other tourists, you will start to make discoveries and start to feel the heartbeat of the country, the way they do life. Just when you think you have got it, you suddenly discover more. I love the reward of these continual new revelations after the initial novelties of a couple of holidays or short trips have worn off. Personalising your own experiences is one of the great treats awaiting you as you go beyond simple short travel.