In the previous entry of this blog, a selection of restaurants offering mouth-watering regional dishes was presented. But it gets even better here in Le Marche when the autumn leaves are falling. Most wine estates have finished their vintage, olives are being picked and truffles are being found in this period.

After the vintage when the grapes have been pressed a residue, called most, is used for various delicious products, such as pan di mosto (bread made of most, flour, yeast and aniseed). Sapa is made of the most of blue grapes and is used in the same way as balsamic vinegar.

Autumn is also the time for chestnuts and walnuts. The Marchigiani are experts in putting these products to good use. For example, sughetti is a cake made of walnuts and castagnata is a cake made of chestnuts. Every weekend you can find a sagra in a local community dedicated to one of these products.

The truffle is probably the most prestigious delicacy this time of year. Two towns, famous for their truffles, are Acqualagna, in the North and Amandola, in the South of Le Marche. Important fairs are dedicated to this exquisite product. In Acqualagna, the National Fair of the White Truffle this year will take place on 26 October, 1, 2, 8 and 9 November. More information can be found on http://www.comune.acqualagna.ps.it/index.php?id=11140 .

In Amandola, their fair is called ‘Diamanti a tavola’, and rightly so. This year it will take place from 7-9 November. Everything you always wanted to know about truffles is here, from information to actually tasting truffle dishes. More information can be found on http://www.prolocoamandola.org/programma_diamanti_a_tavola.htm.

In the province of Macerata, the agriturismo I Gelsi organised a 5 course dinner with the truffle theme. Each course had either white or black truffle. Here are some pictures, since they tell more than a thousand words:

Crema di ceci con tartufo nero

This cream of chick peas was the second starter after a delicious salade with white truffles. Although chick peas are generally considered quite heavy, this cream turned out to be very light.

Tagliatelle con tartufo bianco

On its own this dish would have been sufficient to create a feeling of elation. In all its simplicity, it’s only pasta, olive oil and white truffle, the taste is absolutely heavenly.

Usually, Italy is a tourist destination during summer. However, autumn offers a wide variety of culinary wealth and wonderful views because of the beautiful colours. So come to Le Marche, look around and taste the autumn flavours.