Savor the Flavors of Summer at Rome’s Local Food Market
Summer brings an abundance of bright, juicy fruits and vegetables to Rome’s local food markets. In Italy, eating with the seasons ensures you get the tastiest produce at the best prices as supply increases. Join the Local Aromas Foodie Sisters in their latest video to learn what to buy at the market in summer, and read on to discover how to use summer produce the Italian way.
Exploring Rome’s Summer Produce
The markets of Rome transform into a vibrant tapestry of colors and flavors during the summer months. Let’s dive into the seasonal delights you can find right now.
Tomatoes
Nothing beats Italian tomatoes in peak season. With a wide variety to choose from, don’t hesitate to ask the market vendors for their recommendations. Use the succulent San Marzano for sauces, layer chunky oxheart tomatoes with mozzarella for a perfect Caprese salad, stuff sturdy varieties with rice and herbs for the Roman favorite pomodori con il riso, and enjoy the sweet, ruby-red datterini in salads or on traditional bruschetta.
Melon
Both cantaloupe and watermelon are summer staples in Rome. Cantaloupe is often served with salty prosciutto for a delightful antipasto, while watermelon is sliced into chunks to cleanse the palate at the end of a meal or enjoyed as a refreshing beach snack. Ask the stallholder to help you pick the perfect ripe melon based on when you plan to eat it.
Cherries
Early summer brings a burst of ripe cherries. Look for local visciole, or sour cherries, which are made into a delectable jam used in the Roman-Jewish recipe for torta ricotta e visciole (ricotta and sour cherry pie).
Eggplant
The variety of eggplants in Italy is astounding, ranging from dark purple to light violet and even the original white variety that gave the vegetable its name due to its egg-like appearance. Use summer eggplant in pasta dishes, Sicilian caponata, luxurious melanzane parmigiana, or simply grill and marinate it in olive oil, garlic, and herbs.
Zucchini
Romans love zucchine romanesche, a light green, ribbed variety with the blossom attached. Use the zucchini for frying, sauces, or marinating, and add the flowers to pasta and pizza or stuff and deep-fry them for the Roman classic fiori di zucca.
Bell Peppers
Gigantic red and yellow peppers are summer staples. They can be chopped for salads, grilled, or roasted, then peeled, sliced, and doused in olive oil and garlic. Romans also cherish pollo alla romana, a summer stew of slow-cooked chicken with peppers, tomatoes, and onions, often brought as a beach picnic.
Peaches
Stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, apricots, and plums are at their best in the summer. Enjoy their sweet juice in the Roman sunshine. For a simple Italian summer dessert, cut peaches into chunks, cover with white wine and a couple of spoonfuls of sugar, and chill in the fridge. It’s a true taste of a Roman summer.
Join Us for Market Adventures in Rome
We love Rome’s local food markets so much that we’ve designed several experiences for you to join. On the weekend, join our Farmer’s Market Tour in Rome for a delightful journey through seasonal Italian produce. During the rest of the week we have the largest covered market in Europe to explore with our Local Food Market Tour in Rome.
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