Recently, someone who has been a close friend and supporter since my university days came to visit me in Florence from Japan.
They travel between Japan and Florence about twice a year, and I am always impressed by their energy and enthusiasm.
We thought about going out somewhere, but with temperatures close to 40°C (104°F) that day, we decided it would be much more enjoyable to relax and have lunch at my home while catching up.
Light Italian Meals for Hot Summer Days
When the temperature reaches nearly 40°C, the last thing you want to do is spend hours using the oven or cooking heavy dishes.
So this time I prepared a simple lunch featuring foods that require very little cooking, including:
- Prosciutto (Italian cured ham)
- Beef carpaccio
- Beef tartare
- Fresh ravioli
- Italian cheeses
- Salad
One of the wonderful things about Italy is that the ingredients themselves are so flavorful that even the simplest dishes taste delicious.
My Favorite Supermarket Near Ponte Vecchio
To buy the ingredients, I went to Conad, located just a short walk from Ponte Vecchio.
I’ve introduced this supermarket before because it’s one of my favorites for both locals and visitors.
The blue Conad stores usually carry a wider selection of premium products, including:
- Italian wines
- Prosciutto
- Cheese
- Olives
- Gourmet souvenirs that are perfect for travelers
If you’re staying in an apartment or simply want to experience everyday Italian shopping, it’s well worth a visit.
Foods You Should Try in Florence
Prosciutto
For “sweet dry-cured ham”, I especially recommend:
- Sweet dry-cured Parma ham
- Sweet dry-cured San Daniele ham
Both are among Italy’s most famous and highest-quality prosciuttos. “These two hams are both excellent with fruit because of their sweetness, especially with melon.”
“Unlike ‘sweet’ hams such as Parma or San Daniele, the more distinctly savory, intense, or salty dry-cured hams are characterized by the climate in which they age, the amount of sea salt used, or the smoking techniques.
I especially recommend:
- Tuscan ham o Savory dry-cured Tuscan ham.
- Prosciutto di Norcia IGP
- Speck dell’Alto Adige IGP
“For the ultimate culinary pairing, enjoy late-summer figs alongside aged prosciutto to balance their sugary sweetness with a salty punch, or serve them with tangy chèvre and rich blue cheeses.”
Italian Cheeses
These are some of my favorite cheeses:
- Pecorino di Pienza (especially the aged Stagionato if you enjoy stronger flavors)
- Stracciatella
- Burrata
- Ricotta
Ricotta is especially delicious served with a drizzle of honey, making a wonderfully simple Italian dessert.
In fact, when my family visited Italy, the ricotta was one of the foods they remembered most.
They still say,
“We still remember how delicious that ricotta cheese was.”
Don’t Miss Fresh Ravioli
For lunch, I also prepared three different kinds of fresh ravioli.
Italian supermarkets offer an excellent selection of fresh pasta, making it easy to enjoy authentic Italian meals at home without spending hours in the kitchen.
The Best Ingredient Is… the Ingredients Themselves
Before we knew it, lunch had turned into an afternoon of conversation that continued well into the evening.
One of the things I love most about Italian food is that the ingredients don’t need much preparation.
Fresh vegetables dressed with nothing more than extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper are already delicious.
You don’t need complicated recipes to enjoy a memorable meal in Italy.
If you visit Florence, don’t limit yourself to restaurants.
Take some time to explore a local supermarket as well.
You’ll discover wonderful local products, authentic Italian flavors, and perhaps even find a few favorites to take home as delicious souvenirs.