Food fairs galore

Tuscany’s autumn comes alive with fantastic food festivals featuring much-loved seasonal specialties. Here’s just a sampling of all that foodies have to look forward to:

From Fridays to Sundays (September 9 to October 10) enjoy Certaldo’s fantastic Festival featuring the ‘Bistecca Fiorentina’ and porcini mushrooms at the town’s Centro Polivalente. (For more info, call ‘Associazione Nuoto Certaldo’ – 333/411494). On September 24-26, La Serra, a district of San Miniato, will be celebrating its famed ‘White Truffle and Porcini Festival’ at the Circolo ACI La Serra. Enjoy a whole range of delicious fare including truffle lasagna and fried eggs topped with truffle sauce. (For information, contact: 339/1639542) The weekend of September 5, don’t miss Massarosa’s festival spotlighting porcini and polenta: local home-style cooks will be dishing out grilled meats and scrumptious pasta accompanied by fine Tuscan wines. (For information, contact: 0584/48881). Until September 19, don’t miss the chance to experience Fiesole’s 26th annual Truffle Festival, for fine truffle-based specialties (for information, contact: 055/659.39.69).

Why not try some great pasta smothered in wild-hare sauce? Until September 5, Montespertoli is gearing up for its annual ‘Pappardelle Festival’. Find out more at: 0571/608311. On September 5, 11 and 12, take a trip to Agnano’s ARCI center ‘La Pergola’ to enjoy the ‘Polenta Festival’. Topped with meat or mushroom sauces or served up with typical cold-cuts, its specialties can’t be beat (for information: 050 855942). Or how about some traditional bread soup in Fucecchio on September 11 and 12? Expect live entertainment and an abundance of tasty surprises (Tel: 0571-23454). In Queria, a district of Aulla, you won’t want to miss the ‘Sagra della Focaccetta’. Its menu of typical wines, cheeses and luscious flat breads are certainly worth the trip (for information, contact: 0187-471399).

Meat lovers won’t want to miss the ‘Wild Boar Festival’ in Capalbio from September 8-12; the event will feature loads of Maremma soups, wild boar dishes and spicy sausages (for information, contact: 0564-897701). On September 12, experience one of Tuscany’s best culinary traditions at the ‘Tripe and Lampredotto Festival’ in Vernio (For information, contact: 338/8086116). Meanwhile, fish-lovers are gearing up for San Miniato’s ‘Fisherman’s Festival’ which offers a smorgasbord of grilled and fried seafood (for information, contact: 346/8783818). Those who are up for a bit of culinary adventure will want to stop in Ambra on September 9-12. Don’t miss its interesting ‘Snail Festival!  For information, contact: 055-996701. Those who are looking for the sweet taste of autumn, will want to take a trip to Bacchereto, located in the municipality of Carmignano, to visit its annual ‘Fig Festival’ (For information, contact: 055-8717175).

Those who’d like to make a jolly toast to the new season will want to attend one of Tuscany’s many beer festivals! In Bibbiano, you can visit the ‘Vilaggio della Birra’ (Beer Village) and sample typical cold-cuts, cheeses and grilled meats (for information, contact: 0577-807077).  Until September 11 in Marina di Carrara, why not check out the September Fest, a German-inspired carnival and beer-park? (For information, visit: www.september-fest.it). In Strada in Chianti, don’t miss the ‘A Tutta BiRRA’ event from September 24 to 26 and October 1 to 3. The town’s ‘Casa del Popolo’ will be featuring a wide variety of light beers to suit every palate!