The Oltrepò Pavese area, famous for its fine wines, is also a land where grapes take centre stage in the kitchen. Discover how this prized fruit is transformed into refined ingredients, giving life to unique and surprising dishes, from appetisers to main courses, in a celebration of autumn flavours.
Grapes from the Oltrepò Pavese area not only give life to exceptional wines such as Pinot Nero, Bonarda and Riesling, but are also protagonists in the kitchen, where they enrich traditional and innovative dishes. The grapes, with their sweet-acidic flavour, add a touch of freshness and complexity to many culinary preparations, making them a versatile and refined ingredient.
Below, we present three recipes that highlight the Oltrepò Pavese grapes, enhancing their flavour in dishes ranging from starters to main courses, perfect for surprising your guests with original and delicious combinations.
1. Focaccine with gorgonzola and grapes: the tasty and original starter
Focaccine with gorgonzola and grapes are an appetiser that combines the softness and strong flavour of the typical Lombardy cheese with the sweetness of grapes, creating an irresistible contrast. These little delicacies, easy to prepare, are perfect to open an autumn lunch or dinner, accompanied by a glass of Oltrepò white wine. The result is an elegant and tasty finger food, surprising for its simplicity and harmony of flavours.
2. Grape risotto: the creamy and fragrant autumn first course
Grape risotto is a dish that celebrates autumn in all its richness. Creamy and enveloping, this risotto combines the velvety texture of the rice with the freshness and slightly acidic flavour of the grapes, creating a perfect balance. Ideal for a Sunday lunch, grape risotto can be enriched with spices and herbs that further enhance the flavour of the fruit, such as rosemary or lemon zest. Accompanied by a glass of Riesling, it becomes a highly refined first course.
3.Chicken with grapes: tender morsels of meat with black grapes and thyme
Chicken with grapes is a main course that combines the tenderness of white meat with the sweetness of black grapes and the aroma of thyme, creating a dish with a rich, enveloping flavour. The slow cooking allows the grapes to release their juices, forming a delicious sauce that goes perfectly with the chicken. This dish, despite its simplicity, offers a depth of flavour that will satisfy even the most discerning palates. Served with a side of seasonal vegetables or baked potatoes, it is an excellent choice for an autumn dinner, perhaps paired with a red wine from Oltrepò Pavese such as Bonarda.
These recipes represent just a few of the infinite possibilities offered by the Oltrepò Pavese grape in the kitchen. Experimenting with this prized fruit allows you to rediscover ancient flavours and create new gastronomic combinations, enhancing the quality and versatility of a product that is a symbol of a territory rich in history and tradition.
