On the 11th of November in Italy – from north to south – people love to celebrate Saint Martin’s day. This day falls during the so-called Indian Summer that in Italy is known as Summer of Saint Martin, a period of unusually warm weather. Saint Martin’s day is so important in Italy that the Italian poet Giosué Carducci also wrote a poem about it. Let’s find out the origin of this day and how Italians celebrate it.
What is it Saint Martin’s Day?
As the name suggested, Saint Martin’s Day is originally a religious celebration. Saint Martin, who lived in the 4th century is a model for leading a good Christian life. Martin of Tours was forced to become a soldier by his parents. One day, during one of his guarding shifts, he met a naked beggar. To protect him, Martin cut his cloak in two, and the clime suddenly became warmer like in summer. Today, the 11th of November represents a way to enjoy the fall season, tasting the local newly-produced wine and eating good food. Indeed, this celebration is strongly related to the agricultural world: in the past, it marked the time of renewing agreements, buying new livestock, and the opening of wine barrels.
How Italians celebrate Saint Martin’s Day?
According to tradition, people celebrate this day by eating roasted chestnuts, sausage, and all the lovely fall foods. From region to region you can find different habits, including having special family dinners. In Venice, people eat biscuits that are shaped like a soldier riding his horse – the way Saint Martin is usually pictured.
You can’t miss enjoying Veroni’s charcuterie on this occasion, so we share with you some tips about how to pair our delicious cold cuts with Italian red wine.
- Salty charcuterie such as Prosciutto and Salami pairs perfectly with light or medium-bodied reds like Cannonau from Sardinia and Cabernet Franc.
- Speck and spicy cold cuts go well with full-bodied red wines such as Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola, and Zinfandel. The fruit aromas of these wines provide a contrast of flavors to the spices of the charcuterie.
Now, with our recommendations in mind, you can create your own well-curated charcuterie board and have a kind of Saint Martin’s day.
