Le Marche is covered of patchwork fields full of crops and succulent fruits and vegetables. Find out which produce is available when throughout the year.
Le Marche is know for it's patchwork fields. It is a farmer region which mean almost all the food available to eat is local produce. This mean you can mostly only buy what's in season.
This blog gives a breakdown of what is available when. also harvests.
One thing Italy is definitely known for is its wonderful tasting food and quality produce. Thanks to the fertile land and great weather, lots of tasty fruit and veg grow throughout the year.
Very little are imported. This means that during the year you eat what is in season and available in the supermarket, or being sold by your local farmer.
The fact that the majority of fruit and vegetables are grown locally, results in even the simplest of dishes being full of nutrients and bursting with flavour.
In Le Marche, it is also very common for people to grow their own fruits and vegetables. The earth is extremely fertile and it is very much part of Italian culture to take pride in ‘growing your own’ and sharing it with the family.
A huge variety of fruit and vegetables grow and flourish in Le Marche. In this blog I wish to provide you with a guide to the seasonality of Le Marche fruit and veg.
Winter
Despite the weather being cold, it is not often that temperatures will drop below zero in Le Marche. This makes it the perfect climate for the many fruits and vegetables that thrive from the cool, wet and nutritious land.
The first fruits that might come to mind are oranges. In fact, the Winter is the perfect time of year for all members of the orange family (oranges, clementine, and mandarins). Freshly squeezed orange juice is a staple in our house during the winter as it is not only sweet and tasty but also full of vitamin D, making it the perfect replacement for the slightly reduced amount of sunlight during the Winter months.
Other fruits that can be found during the Winter are pomegranates, pears, persimmons and almonds. All wonderful to be eaten on their own as part of a desert. One of my personal favorites being my mum’s pear and almond tart.
Orange tree in Smith garden
There is a wonderfully large variety of vegetables available in the Winter. Some of these can be harvested, and stored, while others are used to make many warm, wholesome, traditional dishes.
Winter vegetables include: kale, potatoes, broccoli, thistle, cauliflower, cabbage, fennel, onions, spinach, carrots, beans, lentils, and radishes.
Spring
Spring in Le Marche is truly magical. A heavenly mixture of sun, warmth and occasional showers feed the earth making it highly prosperous for lemons, kiwis, strawberries and cherries.
Fava beans, artichokes and cherries
This is perhaps my favorite time of year in terms of the vegetables available. Fava beans, asparagus, artichokes, zucchini flowers, peas, leeks, beets and garlic are fresh and ready to be eaten.
This time of year the dinner table is never lacking of fava beans (my dad's favorite) or cherries. Also, I must mention, Italians also know THE BEST way to cook zucchini flowers. I will attach a must try recipe here.
Summer
It is in the heat of Summer that the famous juicy Italian tomatoes, figs, peaches and berries are available in abundance. Not to forget the huge, thirst quenching watermelons (great also with a dash of vodka for the adventurous) and colourful plums. Another classic must try if you haven’t already is cantaloupe with prosciutto crudo. This mixture of sweet and salty never gets old.
Cucumbers, eggplant, peppers and courgettes all prove to be the perfect accompaniment to the frequent, long summer BBQ's.
watermelons, tomato salad and figs
Autumn
As in many other parts of Europe, one of the classic vegetables that grows in Autumn is the pumpkin. Another classic in Italy during this time of year are chestnuts. A lovely activity to do in autumn is to walk around the autumn fair with a warm bag of chestnuts. Here you will likely find another special produce at its prime in Autumn… truffle! Autumn is in fact the perfect time to arrange a truffle hunting tour in Le Marche. The vast amounts of forest and woodland in Le Marche make it ideal territory for mushroom and truffle hunting. (Read more about this in my other blog).
Other wonderful autumn fruits and vegetables include; mushrooms, fennel, spinach, prunes, grapes and apples.
grapes, squash, olives
Grape harvest - September
Harvesting the grape vines for wine usually takes place in September. It is very much a family affair with all generations taking part in the event. Grapes are harvested and then taken to the nearest cantina where they are turned in to delicious wine!
grapes being harvested, grapes, tractor
Oil harvest - October/November
Just as with the grape harvest, the whole family also usually takes part in the olive harvest in autumn. Unlike the grapes which have to be picked by hand, the olives are picked using a rake. Some nifty farmers these days have also now invested in an electronic olive rake, which is supposed to do the work twice as fast.
Once the olives have been picked they get taken to the olive press where any leaves are removed and the olives are pressed. The first pressing is what is commonly referred to as extra virgin olive oil. This is the best and more flavorful olive oil. The olives can be pressed and second or even a third time. This oil has a softer flavour but can be used well for cooking.
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