Our favorite season meets our favorite thing: fall seasonal food recipes!
Autumn in Italy is a season of slower rhythms, colourful landscapes and comforting flavours. Every region celebrates it differently, turning local ingredients into dishes that tell the story of the territory. Here are three seasonal favourites, one from Northern, Central and Southern Italy!

Northern Italy: pumpkin risotto

We know: pumpkin is not an original Italian product. Yet we managed to make it ours with fantastic recipes. The most famous one it’s definitely the risotto, Italian rice dish cooked with broth. Creamy, comforting and unmistakably autumnal, pumpkin risotto is one of Northern Italy’s signature seasonal dishes. Sweet pumpkin, Parmigiano Reggiano and local rice varieties come together in a recipe that celebrates the harvest. One may add pepper and Italian’s speck, the typical northern smoked ham, famous for its salty and seasoned taste.

Center Italy: castagnaccio

Nothing speaks “autumn” like warm chestnuts just picked from the yard and toasted. In Tuscany, one can make it a dessert: Castagnaccio is made with chestnut flour, rosemary, pine nuts and raisins. Its rustic flavour reflects the traditions of mountain communities, where chestnuts have been a precious ingredient for centuries. Maybe its peculiar taste is not for everyone, but this is the ultimate Italian autumn dessert in the perfect tonal color palettes of the season.

Southern Italy: porcini mushrooms

In Calabria’s forests, autumn marks the arrival of prized porcini mushrooms. Whether served with handmade pasta, grilled meats or simple rustic recipes, they capture the bold and authentic flavours of Southern Italy. Whether paired with potatoes or used in a classic risotto, there are plenty of ways to celebrate autumn with this prized ingredient. For a more immersive experience, why not enjoy a guided mushroom-foraging walk through the beautiful woodlands of Italy’s national parks?

Come discover, and taste, Italy in the fall season!