For many Italians, autumn is more than a season. It is a return to simplicity, the warmth of home and community around a table. After the warm summer holidays and long evenings outdoors, comes the time when we rediscover the joy of a good book, a chat with friends and food that warms the soul. With the shorter days and the falling leaves, the longing for comfort food becomes stronger, and we find ourselves longing for a cutting board filled with Italian salami , good cheeses and a glass of red wine while we watch the leaves fall outside.
But for us Italians, autumn is also a season of deep traditions. Traditions that evoke childhood memories, family ties and community, from the north to the south of our peninsula. Today I want to talk about some of these customs that have not only shaped my youth, but are also part of the cultural heritage that many Italian families share.
The Wine Harvest: A Family Tradition
September brings one of the most important events of the year for those of us who come from the land of wine: the grape harvest. In Puglia, my home region, it is a tradition that marks the beginning of autumn, although for some grape varieties it starts as early as August. But the grape harvest is not just a tradition in Puglia: from the hills of Tuscany to the vineyards of Veneto, all of Italy celebrates this ritual that unites generations. The grape harvest is not just the harvest of the grapes, but a community gathering where friends and family gather in the vineyards, work together and celebrate.
I still remember the sweet smell of freshly picked grapes, the sticky hands and the feeling of being part of something old-fashioned and precious. The grapes destined for the great wines of Puglia, such as Primitivo or Negroamaro, come to life during this period. Also in Emilia-Romagna, a region famous for Aceto Balsamico di Modena , autumn brings the grape harvest, which here is combined with the tradition of transforming the must into the precious dark and aromatic liquid we all know. The grape harvest is not just work: it is a party, a waiting time and a celebration.
In the Forests in Autumn: Mushrooms and Chestnuts
Another autumn tradition that brings me back to my childhood is the hunt for mushrooms and chestnuts. And in many Italian regions, autumn means time to go into the woods in search of porcini mushrooms. Walking in the woods, breathing in the fresh, cool air while searching for the perfect porcini, is an activity I still love. Of course, we always do it with caution, perhaps with a knowledgeable person by our side to avoid unpleasant surprises. There is nothing better than returning home after a day in the woods and roasting chestnuts, perhaps accompanied by a glass of red wine and a piece of cheese.
The smell of chestnuts roasting over the fire always brings me back to those autumn evenings when hands were warmed around the little fruits and the family gathered to tell stories. This tradition unites all of Italy, from the mountains of Trentino to the hills of the Apennines, where chestnuts and mushrooms are a true treasure trove of the earth.
Tomato Sauce: Family Ties
Especially in Southern Italy, autumn also marks the time for the preparation of tomato sauce. It is a tradition that involves the whole family. As a child, I remember the whole house being transformed into a small factory: the tomatoes were cooked, cared for and bottled with great care. Each of us had a task: I was responsible for putting a fresh basil leaf in each bottle, the small touch that gave the sauce an unforgettable scent. It was a moment of union, of shared work, but also of joy, because we knew that our reward would be a tomato sauce of the highest quality throughout the year.
This tradition is repeated from north to south in many Italian homes. Each region has its own variation, but the heart of the ritual remains the same: the family coming together around a simple but extraordinary product.
Olive Oil: Autumn's Nectar
Another autumn tradition that I feel deeply about is the olive harvest and the production of olive oil . In Puglia, this is a true art form. But not only here: in Tuscany, Sicily, Sardinia and many other Italian regions, the olive harvest marks the beginning of a period of hard work and satisfaction. The olives are knocked down from the trees and taken to the oil mill, where liquid gold is transformed. The oil mill was an almost magical place for me as a child: the scents of freshly pressed oil, the fruity and intense taste that goes perfectly with a piece of crusty bread. It is one of those tastes that you never forget and that represents the essence of autumn in Puglia and elsewhere.
Autumn: A Tribute to Life and Taste
Autumn is a time of transition, but also of celebration. Its colors not only paint the landscape, but also mark the rhythm of our lives. The wine harvest, the olive harvest, the tomato sauce: all these traditions remind us that we are part of a greater cycle, that the fruits of the earth accompany us and mark the passage of time. And therefore, in Italy, autumn is a time to rediscover the value of the little things, of simple and genuine food.
And as the temperature drops and the days grow shorter, we gather around a table, sharing simple food rich in history, in a celebration of community and the beauty of life. Ultimately, autumn is just that: a season that invites us to slow down, savor authentic flavors, and rediscover the warmth of traditions that bind us to our land and our roots.
Buon appetito!
