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Seasonal eating in Italy in September

Hello everyone. My wife and I will be staying in Rome in late September this year before our western Med cruise, and I am wondering what will be in season food-wise. I have a RS Italy guide book, but most of his trips to Italy seem to be in the spring, when artichokes and asparagus are in season and on the menus, both of which we love. However, visiting in September, besides truffles, what other delights might we expect to experience? Looking forward to hearing what more seasoned travelers have to say!

Posted by
11055 posts

You will see signs for fungi porcini in September, Porcini mushrooms, along roadsides.

Posted by
2922 posts

Here’s a link that will answer your question: https://casamiatours.com/what-fruit-and-vegetables-are-in-season-in-september-in-italy/.
I was in IT in Nov and ate the best artichokes and mushrooms that I have ever had. Basil is in season in Sep, so I would order pesto sauce when I could. Don’t ignore the soup either which is served with a slice of rustic bread in the soup, it’s hearty. I would also treat myself to sandwiches. My first trip to IT was in Sep and I could not get enough of spinach sandwiches in Turin.

Posted by
105 posts

Thanks Suki and Marypat. Love mushrooms and artichokes, so that is definitely something I will look forward to.

Posted by
7453 posts

Italy and Rome in particular, draws from a pretty wide region for produce, in some regions the growing season is at the tail end, in Sicily, it is just beginning after a hot summer, so many things are available year round, just more abundant in some months.

We are in Italy (Sicily) now, but as you mentioned, Truffles and Mushrooms will come in; Squash and Pumpkin (the European version), eggplant seem plentiful, tomatoes are still going strong, Prickly pears are ripe everywhere, mature beans and fava should available.

The only things I have not seen, oranges seem in short supply, the snails I like are out of season, artichokes are out there, but not many.

Posted by
1662 posts

Love mushrooms and artichokes, so that is definitely something I will look forward to.

On menus and such, it will be under "carciofi" alla giudia. (Also alla Romana)

Posted by
709 posts

I was really amazed that tomatoes tasted so good in Padua the last week of September several years ago. I'm so glad I tried them at many places there over 3 days. I thought it was interesting that as we traveled farther south the following 2 weeks in October the tomatoes became progressively less tasty to me. I don't think it was the law of diminishing returns because I never tire of them.