Even if you relate more closely with the Grinch at this time of year, there is no doubt that you’ll fall in love with an Italian Christmas table. The food, the wine, the atmosphere, there is nothing quite like it. If you’re looking for ideas for the perfect Italian Christmas lunch, we’re here to help you.
In this article
In Italy we savour those precious moments around the table, where we fill our bellies with warming dishes and hearty laughs. During your stay in Italy you’ll probably notice that all year round many shops and offices close for lunch. This has never changed and we hope it never does. This pausa (break) gives people time to unwind from the morning, create a filling lunch and take a step back form the hustle and bustle of modern life.
The same valuable principle is applied to the Christmas lunch, but its bigger, louder and with even more dishes! As with Italian life, food is to be enjoyed uncomplicated, with simple ingredients that speak for themselves. No fuss or frills even at Christmas. This less is more approach is what makes all Italian food so appetising.
The importance of the right glass of wine
Of course no Italian Christmas table is complete without vino (wine). Most tables will have wine and water to drink and that’s it. Simple. In Tuscany, specifically in Maremma we are fortunate to have excellently crafted wines such as Morellino Di Scansano. Scansano is a medieval town in the Provence of Grosseto and their wine offers the perfect Maremma pairing for your Christmas lunch. Morellino di Scansano is a versatile wine to be enjoyed throughout your meal and combines beautifully with traditional Tuscan dishes, from soups to grilled or oven baked red meats.
The perfect Tuscan Christmas lunch
For Pranzo di Natale or Chrismas lunch in Maremma you’ll start with a platter of cured meats and cheeses or the classic crostini. Crostini is toasted, crunchy bread that are so versatile you’ll find a variety of different toppings depending on where you go. The original is the chicken liver pate (crostini ai fegatini) which is used most to create this dish. However you’ll also find them topped with mushrooms (crostini ai funghi) or with onions, during the autumn months you’ll find them topped with artichokes too which is a delight for the taste buds! With your starters try pairing the vintage Morellino di Scansano, with a plate of Tuscan cured meats and cheeses such as Pienza cheese or Prosciutto Toscano DOP.
Followed by your primi piatti which consists of risotto, zuppa (soup) or pasta. Our suggestion, a must have is the classic tortelli maremmani which are filled pasta bursting with ricotta and spinach covered in ragú or simply flavoured with sage and butter. Continue with the vintage person and pair with meat-based first courses, such as tortelli maremmani or lasagna with ragù, or, if you prefer fish, with tasty and spicy soups.
Main dishes or secondi piatti, vary for every family or restaurant, some people prefer fish or opt for a meat dish of roasted pork or chicken. Always paired with copious amounts of sides from roasted potatoes seasoned with local extra virgin olive oil and rosemary from the garden, simple verdure (vegetables) or mixed salad.
Try the Morellino di Scansano Riserva which has a greater tannic structure and is the ideal partner with succulent foods seasoned with sauces and gravies, such as stewed wild boar, but also with roast pork such as roast pork loin perhaps with rosemary potatoes. Should you choose game or another red meat, such as pork shank, donkey stew or beef braised in red wine for your main dish then Riserva version combines excellently with those strong flavours without distracting from the main event.
To conclude the meal but not the conversation linger over a digestif of Vinsanto or strong espresso and dive into a classic Italian Christmas cake such as panforte. There are numerous biscotto options at this time of year too, so create a mixed biscuit platter with some classics such as renaissance favourites Cavallucci or Ricciarelli which are delightful dipped into your drink of choice.
Whether your imitating the beloved Italian Christmas at home or you’re lucky enough to be visiting Tuscany for the festive season you’ll be fully equipped to know what to eat and more importantly, with which wine. Believe us, you will never go hungry in Italy and that is never truer than at Christmas time!