September marks the transition from summer to autumn: colors get warmer, the days get a little shorter, temperatures are pleasant again, we have good intentions and days full of daily activities. Nature offers its support in facing this seasonal change with sweeter and sugary fruits, more nutritious and less rich in water than the summer ones, which help quench the thirst. Vegetables, on the other hand, slowly help to strengthen the immune system, it's early to think about it, but it's better not to be caught unprepared when temperatures drop in a few months. So, in the meantime, let's still enjoy the summer products, which are certainly not lacking at the market during this period.
September shopping: fruit provisions for winter
September fruit harvest is very sweet and abundant, perfect for preserving in the form of jam. So, now’s the time to stock up on all kinds of peaches, figs and berries (in particular raspberries) for the tarts that will cheer up future Sundays. There is no shortage of watermelon and melon on the market stalls, typically a summer fruit, because the days are still often warm at this time and the best solution is to dine with ham and melon or to have a watermelon feast.
Typically, the September harvest is grapes, plums, and prickly pear, perhaps better known in Southern Italy, but loved throughout the peninsula. If you look hard you will also find the first apples and pears from the new harvest: start dusting off grandma’s cake recipes. And this month we also start to see the first pomegranates arrive, which with their intensely colored grains are very rich in beneficial properties essential to tackle the coming months. If your vegetable garden is particularly well stocked, you will also find fresh almonds and pistachios, which are harvested during this time.
September’s vegetable garden
Cabbage season is still some time away (although the first produce can already be found): this month’s vegetables still includes plenty of typically summer vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers. Also, ingredients for fresh salads, because it’s still a little too soon to turn on the stove, such as cucumbers, rocket, lettuce and radishes are in season this month. As a reminder that summer is fading away, the first mushrooms and pumpkins are on their way, Halloween is not far away. Finally, fresh beans to complete your September shopping basket are a must: just shell them (you can also let the little ones help you) and boil them for 20-30 minutes and they’ll be ready for fresh salads, pastas and soups to eat maybe warm.
Fish to feel at the sea even in the city
Those lucky enough to live by the sea or go on vacation in September know that the light at the beach at the moment is magical. The products that the sea offers this month are also really precious: mussels, clams, shrimps, lobsters, squids and sardines can be cooked in a thousand ways and make you feel at the beach even if you are back in the city.