Holiday Weekend, Picnic Plans!

Soak up some sun while reveling in friends, family, and a taste of the outdoors. This holiday weekend should include a picnic. Regardless of the social agenda, attending or hosting gatherings or a clear schedule, the picnic will always fit the bill. From simple to over-the-top, the ways to incorporate a picnic this Memorial Day Weekend are countless.

The Italian style picnic can be customized as rustic and simple for two, or as a bountiful, yet manageable option for large crowds. The Italian staples consist of bread, olives, a pasta dish that can be enjoyed at room temperature, and various roasted vegetables. This style picnic is great for anytime of the day and can be spread out in any location, even on a blanket in the backyard.

Sample Italian Picnic Menu:

Fresh Italian Bread, such as Semolina, Bastone, or Ciabatta
Assorted olives
Pappardelle with olive oil, fresh lemon, fresh basil, fresh mint
Roasted zucchini, red, yellow, and orange peppers, tomatoes

Use the more traditional picnic fare but, opt for a theme. Whether it be seafood, sandwiches, or a grill menu. Hosting a backyard party with a food theme keeps the essence of simplicity a picnic boasts in tact. Cover outdoor tables with kitschy plaid tablecloths and newspaper for a lobster, crawfish, and crab boil complete with shell crackers for guests. Arrange dishes of drawn butter, fresh lemon halves, and various spices throughout the table. The boiled seafood, corn, and potatoes can be served straight from the table. The same family-style set up can be implemented for a "make-your-own" sandwich bar or with the necessities for grilling out. All options adhere to a relaxed crowd (and host/hostess) present simply to enjoy being outside, eating, and mingling with other guests.


Photo courtesy of potterybarn.com

Sample Traditional Picnic Menus:

Shellfish Boil
Various shellfish (lobster, crab, crawfish, shrimp, mussels)
Corn on the cob
Red skin potatoes

Sandwich Bar
Variety of each:
Rolls, lettuce, pickles, roasted vegetables, cheese, deli meat, mustard, mayo, hot peppers
Homemade potato chips w/crumbled blue cheese

Grill Menu
Marinated chicken (choose 2 favorite styles, such as Caribbean Jerk and Teriyaki)
Grilled fresh fruit, watermelon, pineapple, peaches
Asparagus
Portobella mushrooms
Assorted salads

The picnic will travel with whatever the weekend may bring. Prep an actual picnic basket (or buy a pre-arranged set with price points from $15-$350 on Google shopping search engine, surely one will be suitable) to have ready for impromptu invitations. Neighbors said come over? The basket is an exceptional means to transport food to contribute to the pooled meal. A more thoughtful approach, such as for a host/hostess gift, would be to fill the picnic basket with favorite food items (barbecue sauce, gourmet spreads, honey, jam) for their enjoyment in the future. Pack a favorite cheese and fruit pairing to share that day if asked to bring a dish.


A National Geographic Favorite Picnic Spot: Villa Borghese Gardens, Rome, Italy Photograph by Hemis/Alamy

Grab a Frisbee and the picnic basket and go. Host a sensational party, with ease. Share food favorites with great company. In any style, the picnic should be a priority and the pinnacle of enjoyment during the long weekend. Happy Memorial Day!


What are some of your favorite picnic foods?

Share pictures to our Facebook page of your Memorial Day picnics... we'd love to see Pino Gelato quarts/pints Scooping Some Happiness during celebrations this holiday weekend!

Party Time at Italian Festivals.

Italians love to throw a party. Festivals are a component to life in Italy's many regions with celebrations marked by just about anything from a lemon to the world's largest frying pan. The Spring and Summer months bring some of the top festivals of the year with those rounding up as noteworthy mandate the revolving praise of bona-fide food.



Lemon Tree in Monterosso

Sagra del Limone, in Liguria attracts people to dabble in all things lemon, the region's specialty. The 3rd weekend in May the village of Monterosso hosts The Lemon Festival where revelers can expect samplings of the finest limoncino, lemon fragrant soaps and candles, and lemon desserts (gelato, of course), of the prestigious produce. A window decorating competition starring the yellow gem as well as an acclamation for the largest lemon in town are two components of the festival. The restaurants typically have festival menus as their tables spill into the live music and dancing on the walkways throughout the village leading to the large party in the main square.


Dancing in the main square

Italy has a resounding fame for the original food it has brought to the world, and the significant items are justly honored with festivals of their own. Primavera del Prosecco celebrates the Prosecco wine production region from March-June with a slew of villa getaway vacation packages inclusive of tours. Travelers to Italy can plan their trip to incorporate numerous possibilities of the events with a Risotto Festival in Sessame, a Polenta Festival in Avigliana, and a Chianti Wine Festival in Tuscany. The Sagra del Pesce, in Liguria is a classical festival honoring the patron saint of fishermen, San Fortunato. The port village fish is prepared in the largest frying pan in the world after a night of a religious ceremony with bonfires.


Sagra del Pesce, Largest Frying Pan

There are even meat filled deep fried olives (known as olive ascolane) currently being celebrated at the fried food festival, Fritto Misto. Pick me.


Art in Italy will never go unnoticed. Major festivals to pay homage are Festival dei Due Mondi, Festival of Two World's, a famous performing arts festival featuring opera, ballet, film and The Tuscan Sun Festival celebrating spectacular live music. Tomorrow, May 1, is Labor Day in Italy and is recognized as a public holiday, though tourists can expect large street festivals to celebrate, of course.



Summer in Cinque Terre

Spring has sprung, and the glory of Summer is quickly approaching, with the outdoor season officially here much celebration will ensue. Wrap up the Spring cleaning and get outside to party as the Italian's do!

Are there any local upcoming festivals you are looking forward to?

Pino Gelato's lemon gelato!