Tag: Ferragosto

How to set the table for Ferragosto – Italian Cuisine

Find out how to set the table for Ferragosto: outdoor dining or dinner, here are the suggestions to amaze by avoiding the stress of the last moment

You have already thought about organizing the Mid-August? Outdoor dining is a classic, however even the idea of a barbecue to be organized at sunset can prove to be a winner. The important thing is to prepare everything you need to make a good impression with the guests … ed avoid last-minute stress. Here are the things to remember.

Installation for the Ferragosto table

They are the symbol of the beautiful season and express vitality: add a bunch of fresh flowers on the table it will give a touch of kindness and color. What do you say about using flowers also in version place card? Those who are in the mountains or in the countryside can pick up small specimens of succulents: inserted in a jar they will become a nice placeholder to give as a lucky present for the guests.

In this period roses are the queens of the garden, an excellent idea to make a perfumed centerpiece to be made with branches of lavender and fresh rosemary, also useful for removing mosquitoes. If the lunch is a picnic or buffet version, prepare a basket to insert fork and knife tied together with a napkin with a raffia thread: everyone can take what they need and position themselves where they want. If for Ferragosto you have in mind a dinner remember to add many candles on the table: the charm of the lanterns light up the atmosphere thanks to a soft soft light.

table-ferragosto

Things to do first

Remember to refrigerate the drinks and wines you wish to offer. A ice bucket can be strategic. During the dinners it is easy to lose sight of one's glass, which is why making one available set of glasses it is useful for the lady of the house … and turns out to be a moment of play for the guest, who can choose the preferred form. Alcoholic drinks, but not only: you can prepare a delicious one natural drink with fresh water and citrus fruits, to flavor with a few mint leaves and keep in the fridge until the guests arrive. Last thing to do? Cool the watermelon, the fruit symbol of summer: cut into slices or transformed into fruit salad and accompanied by basil sorbet, it will be a refreshing meal.

Cooking strategies

To avoid stress (and the kitchen to be cleaned again!) Prepare everything you can in the previous hours or the day before. The summer is the triumph of fruit and vegetables, with bright colors and intense taste: peppers and zucchini, grilled and flavored with garlic and mint, can be placed on cutting boards to be left directly on the table. Yes to baked fish, to be savored cold along with pasta salad and whole grains seasoned with tomatoes, olives and mozzarella. Prepare fresh sauces to pair with seconds: classic green sauce, guacamole and variations with fresh coriander, yogurt or aubergine sauce, typical of the Greek and oriental tradition, will pleasantly surprise. It pours into many bowls and leaves on the table: perfect with meat and fish, they are appetizing also for the aperitif, to spread on sliced bread and bruschetta. If lunch is far from home, goodsalad in the jar: the idea to recycle jars with a pinch of creativity.

The recipe for the Ferragosto aperitif – Italian Cuisine

The choice is between posecco and tonic water, the base a citrus and bitter drink at the right point. What a summer it is, cincin!

The aperitif is one of our favorite summer estates. The perfect time to relax, talk, take a cool break from the sun and toast in the summer. Let's do it also in mid-August, letting ourselves be inspired by these recipes prepared with Martini Fiero, special thanks to peels of sun-ripened oranges from Murcia.

Cocktails for Ferragosto

Fiero and tonic

Ingredients: 50% MARTINI Fiero, 50% Tonic water, Much ice, 1 slice of orange to garnish

Method: Fill a glass ballon with ice and let it cool with a bar spoon. Remove excess water and pour the ingredients, mix gently and garnish with a slice of fresh orange

Fiero spritz

Ingredients: 3 parts of Prosecco Martini, 2 parts of Martini Fiero, 1 part of soda, Much ice, 1 slice of orange to garnish

Method: Fill a glass ballon with ice and let it cool with a bar spoon. Remove excess water and pour the ingredients, mix gently and garnish with a slice of fresh orange

La mise en place

Designer and stylist Vanessa Pisk recommends: «For an aperitif in the city, I recommend dare with color and to abandon the scheme of white without fear or I think of a tropical / jungle style with a tablecloth with a pattern that reminds him (palms and banana leaves are the most popular) or been on solid colors with very bright tones like fuchsia, orange, lime green or yellow combined with the right accessories: on solid colors, patterned plates and napkins; on a decorated tablecloth a single color should instead be chosen to create a harmonious and original mix & match. Absolutely no plastic, instead eco-friendly materials are preferred. It is also possible to replace the classic fresh flowers with large cut leaves of monstera or palm, or with aromatic plants or fat plants with jars they can be covered with a cut-out of themed wallpaper or simple wrapping paper. Also there esotic fruit it is functional to create wonderful compositions, you can place it in a large bowl or on a cake stand in the center of the table .

On the beach instead: «I suggest creating an informal and comfortable setting, like the classic straw mats, alternated with mattress cushions and small outdoor ottomans. To make the atmosphere magical, lanterns with candles of different sizes or bamboo torches can be used. For the buffet, you can dress a single table with a raw linen fabric that goes down to the floor and use bio accessories such as cutlery in birch wood and dishes in palm leaf or cellulose pulp .

Soul green

Let's drink it without a straw. Martini is a sponsor of Jova Beach Party, the event that brings so much good music to Italian beaches without losing sight of sustainability. The drinks will be served in compostable glasses, but at home they will always be prepared in large glass cups. We will taste them at the melio, without endangering the environment.

Why is Ferragosto celebrated? – The Italian kitchen – Italian Cuisine

Mid-August has changed over time, passing from pagan to Catholic feast. Here is how it was born and where it is celebrated

Among trips, barbecues and company lunches, you have ever wondered because we celebrate Ferragosto? August 15 is a day of celebration that dates back to the Roman period, but from party pagan it then turned into one Catholic celebration.

Mid-August is charged

The name Ferragosto comes from the Latin feriae Augusti, or rest of Augustus. It was indeed a festival in honor of the first Roman emperor, Octavian Augustus, which also gave its name to the month of August.
During that time it was celebrated first Conso, god of the earth and fertility in the Roman religion, and consequently the end of harvests and work in the fields, giving the people the deserved rest: the peasants wished the landowners good wishes and received tips as gifts.
It was the emperor Augustus who established this feast in 18 BC: the celebration itself of Ferragosto was held on 1 August, organizing horse races, floral decorations and parties that lasted until the 15th of the month.

The Catholic Mid-August

In VII century the Catholic Church moved the festivities from August 1st to 15th, converting it into a religious celebration dedicated to theAssumption of Mary: that day marked the death and rebirth of Virgin, which was received into heaven, both with the soul and with the body.
In addition to the classics excursions and ai fireworks on the beach, Ferragosto is still celebrated today in Italy also with religious ceremonies traditional.

Mid-August in the world

Despite being typically Italian, Ferragosto also exists in some European countries.
With its strong Catholic tradition, the Spain is one of the countries where the festival is most felt and is celebrated with processions dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
In Ireland the Assumption is called in Gaelic Féile Mhuire "sa bhFomhar: despite the temperatures are not so high, it is traditional to swim in the sea on August 15th to have good luck and health throughout the year.

The Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15th also in Canada during Arcadian Day, as present in the flag of Arcadia, the first French colony.
The actual Assumption is also celebrated in some South American countries, such as the Costa Rica, the Colombia and the Chile.

Now that you know why we are celebrating Ferragosto, look below at ours gastronomic advice.