Autumnal Market

The markets in Sant'Ambrogio have been slowly shifting into their 'fall line'. Melons and grapes are becoming more rare (even I Tatti's vendemmia, or grape harvest, was a week or two ago), and the peaches and plums are not quite as good as they used to be. Sadly, too, figs seem to have been short-lived and are now extremely expensive.

Fall veggies are shining through, of course--we have been seeing more pumpkin, citrus fruits, apples, exotic-looking mushrooms, several varieties of nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, and chestnuts), leeks and fennel bulbs. The star of show, in my opinion, is persimmon--aka cachi. Growing up in California we had a persimmon tree that produced soft fruit, and in Australia we got hooked on the crunchy variety. They have both types here :o)

The combination of the season and taking college courses has been making me really nostalgic--not only do I feel like a student at UNC again, but I also think about New England and how we are missing the Fall foliage, Halloween, and sweet potatoes. Though it has certainly been getting gray and cool here (which is exacerbated by our freezing cold apartment), the leaves are not quite as colorful, and the mosquitoes still have not yet disappeared...

Fennel bulbs! Great in a soup with honey, white wine, and goat cheese (capra)

A slice of castagnaccio, made with chestnut flour, pine nuts, rosemary, and sugar. Ignore the sideways view.

Persimmons/Diosperi/Cachi/Kaki

The soft variety (my favorite!)

The crunchy variety (sweet and with a texture like a hard pear)
The fungus!