THE PERFECT PICNIC WITH DELI MEATS AS PROTAGONISTS
Easter marks the official start of the season for out-of-town trips to discover the many close-by destinations that also become the perfect opportunity to appreciate the infinite range of local cured meats, of which Italy boasts the world record. Deli meats are the protagonists of tasty and refined preparations that the new trend proposes to experiment even in a “take away” version for picnics and with contaminations with other traditions, such as the highly original salted “scones” with ham and mayonnaise, the recipe for which you can find here.
There are many agritourisms, educational farms and restaurants in our country that have decided to combine the “picnic” proposal with their more classic menus, often providing a green area adjacent to or inside the structure, a basket, tablecloth and everything you need to enjoy this moment to the full. Whether you choose one of these destinations or organise your own, the 5 golden rules for the perfect picnic are:
1- Location. Choosing the right location is the first step to fully enjoying this experience. If you opt for a picnic proposal in a facility, it is best to contact it beforehand to understand the conditions of access, the expected supply and other rules for use of the space. If you opt for ‘do-it-yourself’, check that it is a public space with free access. There are many equipped areas where it is possible to organise a barbecue in plain-air: in all other cases it is absolutely forbidden to light fires!
2 – Equipment. In addition to food and drink, to fully enjoy your picnic you need organisation: a tarpaulin on which to place blankets/towels to protect against humidity and insects, cutlery, glasses and airtight (and possibly thermal) containers, bags to store any rubbish, a cooler, but also sun cream, mosquito repellent, balls or other toys if there are children around.
3- The right food. Preference should be given to tasty and satisfying food, also good eaten warm or cold. Texture is also important, better if they can be eaten easily with the hands and avoid sauces and condiments that can drip. Sandwiches are a must, to be reinvented in a thousand ways both for the ‘bread’ part (from scones, to sandwiches, to savoury crepes, piadinas, etc.) and for the cold meats to go with them, on which you can also indulge by trying local specialities. For vegetables we suggest pre-washed crudités that can be pre-cut over a flame (carrots, celery, fennel, courgettes, etc.) while for fruit the ideal is to prepare single-portion containers of fruit salad.
4- Soft drinks. Water must be plentiful: don’t take it for granted that you will be able to find it on site, better equip yourself with flasks for everyone! Green light also to soft drinks, fruit juices and even beer or wine, as long as you have a cooler with you. Don’t forget the pleasure of a good coffee at the end of a meal or a hot tea by equipping yourself with a thermos flask.
5- Plastic free! Pic Nics should be as green as possible: avoid disposable cutlery and crockery if possible (or if they are biodegradable), plastic bottles and packaging in general. Take care to leave the place exactly as you found it, taking any rubbish with you and restoring the cleanliness of any tables or seats available.
