Spring Thing: A Writing Picnic, Italian Style

Saturday, April 17, 2010

We used the season of spring (our favorite) and the Italian celebration of Pasquetta (literally "Little Easter") as inspiration for our writing, and also our lunchtime meal: an Italian picnic. We ended the day with an evening gathering and a toast, a new concept for us. Wisteria, lilacs and Douglas iris were in bloom and the day was full of sunshine.

Menu

Brunch snack: Orange Cornmeal cake with honey mascapone
Strawberries

Picnic lunch
(Make your own panini)

Focaccia from Forestville's Nightingale Bakery
Salumi platter with cured meats and Italian cheeses
with
Roasted Bell Peppers and eggplant
arugula, mixed olive tapenade,
meyer lemon aioli, and stone ground mustard
Umbrian lentil salad with cherry tomatoes
Salad with spring greens, oranges, asparagus and fennel

Vegetarian frittata
with
artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, red onion,
Italian truffle cheese and fontina

Laguna Writers Brownies
Meyer Lemon Almond Biscotti

Evening Toast
Assorted crostini made with Umbrian olive oil
Fresh Pecorino with quince jam
Olives and breadsticks
Assorted Italian wines