Pasta in walnut cream
Pasta in Walnut Cream

This recipe was inspired by a pasta dish my Merry Band of Tasters and I enjoyed at Dal Sor Francesco, a restaurant in Vetralla near the Colli Etruschi mill that we try to visit every year. We arrived at the height of fresh walnut season and saw the nuts everywhere. Walnut sauce is actually a specialty of Liguria, a region in northern Italy, where it’s prepared in a pesto style. My version is a bit creamier but still takes only a few minutes to make.

Serves 4

Turkey Involtini
Turkey Involtini

This dish is a celebration showstopper with ingredients that reflect the colors of the Italian flag. The key is to have your butcher debone and butterfly a large, fresh turkey breast, leaving the skin on, and then to pound it to an even thickness for easier rolling.

Serves 6 to 8

Spinach and Squash Lasagna
Spinach and Squash Lasagna

This is a flavorful meatless take on traditional lasagna. Many markets now sell fresh lasagna sheets or boxes of “no-boil” dry lasagna sheets that soften while cooking, thanks to the moisture from other ingredients.

Serves 10

Pizza di Scarola
Graziella's Pizza di Scarola

This escarole-stuffed pizza is one of the many delicious dishes that Graziella Di Mercurio cooked for us after our visit to the family mill, Frantoio Mercurius. I’ve included her dough recipe, but the results are just as flavorful when prepared with refrigerated store-bought pizza dough—you’ll need about 2 pounds.

Serves 8 to 10

Pastina Soup
Duccio's Pastina Soup AKA Italian Penicillin

While we waited for the magic window for harvesting, My Merry Band of Tasters and I rented a house in Toscana where we could create recipes for this Pressing Report. Duccio shared two of his favorites, including this comforting broth enriched with cheese and olive oil.

Serves 4

Porchetta Sandwich with Fennel Spread
Porchetta Spread

Legend has it that porchetta, a highly seasoned and rather large pork roast, originated more than two thousand years ago in the town of Ariccia in Lazio. This zesty spread lets you savor the taste without having to make the roast—serve it with roasted chicken, pork, or vegetables. For a fabulous sandwich, lavish it on ciabatta bread and add slices of ham, turkey, or your favorite meat, arugula for a hint of spiciness, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Yields enough to season 4 to 6 sandwiches

Celery leaf bruschetta
Celery Leaf Bruschetta

One of the many foods unique to Umbria, and nearly impossible to find anywhere else, is “black celery,” grown near the ancient town of Trevi. While not exactly black, its leaves are a much deeper and brighter green than common celery. My adaptation of the dish served at Albergo Ristorante Il Terziere includes similarly hued parsley and has all the freshness of the original.

Serves 4 to 6

Insalata torre a cona
Insalata Torre a Cona

My Merry Band of Tasters and I enjoyed this vibrant mixed salad at the historic Torre a Cona estate just outside Florence. It’s dressed with a light vinaigrette that enhances the pepperiness and bitterness of the lettuces.

Serves 6 to 8

Potato-Leek Skillet
Potato-Leek Skillet Breakfast

Or brunch or a light dinner! Many people are surprised to learn that potatoes are extremely popular in Italy, often served with meat dishes. Present this one-pan meal right in the skillet or on a platter. It’s satisfying on its own as well as alongside soft scrambled eggs.

Serves 6

Potato-crusted Fish
Filetto di Pesce in Crosta di Patate

Potato-crusted fish is a specialty in the Puglia region, where it’s made with locally caught sea bream. Red snapper makes a wonderful alternative.

Serves 2

Apricot Chicken
Apricot Chicken

It’s said that the Australian version of apricot chicken, whose simple ingredients were apricot nectar, a packet of dried French onion soup, and chicken parts, became popular in the 1970s; many adults Down Under grew up on it. My version takes more of a “from-scratch” approach for richer flavor.

Serves 4

Grilled prawns and spicy papaya cocktail sauce
Grilled Prawns and Spicy Papaya Cocktail Sauce

Australia’s temperate climates host warm-water prawns (similar to shrimp) and tropical fruits such as papaya. This recipe brings them together and will inspire you to ditch the familiar ketchup-and-horseradish sauce often served in the US. Also good with lobster (called “bugs” in Oz) or scallops.

Serves 4 as a main course or 6 as an appetizer