JULY | Sun-drenched Days and Alfresco Afternoons
“You may have the world if I may have Italy”
-Giuseppe Verdi
When we think of the perfect summer, our minds drift straight to the sea, specifically to the sun-drenched coast of Italy. To Ischia and Capri, Santa Margherita or the storybook hills of Cinque Terre. Magical places where you can finally lay your burdens down, toss a towel into a beach chair, and lose track of time.
In Italy, taking a proper lunch isn’t just a pause in the day, it’s part of life’s rhythm. Plates arrive with freshly caught seafood ready to be drenched in lemon. Meals are shared without hurry, with a glass of chilled Vermentino and a front row seat to the sea. It’s a ritual we treasure, especially in the heart of summer, when the days are long and the food is decidedly lighter and abundantly fresh. If you find yourself daydreaming of pastel-colored villages and long, lingering lunches by the sea , this guide to Italy’s most beautiful small towns from Condé Nast Traveler is a visual vacation all on its own.
Even if you're not heading to Italy anytime soon, you can still bring that beautiful bellissima spirit into your own home. This time of year is all about gathering what’s fresh from the farmer’s market or your own garden, and letting the simplicity of seasonal ingredients shine. Fresh Basil Pesto Zucchini with Bucatini. Grilled Shrimp (or langoustino if you can get your hands on it!) sprinkled with coarse crystals of herb-infused Sea Salt and a drizzle of Aromatic Lemon Oil.
While we spend our days outdoors, we're packing our market baskets with golden peaches, fresh herbs, and pantry favorites for this Summer recipe. Beach towels and Bella’s olive oil crackers with an Olivada Spread, a tin of Bonilla chips, and something sweet for dessert. These little luxuries are the what makes life not only pleasurable, but something memorable. If you’re in the mood to bring a bit more beauty and ease into your summer, explore our July Objects of Affection collection. A curated collection of Italian-inspired items we love for considered living.
And of course, every summer scene needs a soundtrack. Whether you’re driving with the windows down or setting the mood for a star-filled dinner outdoors, our July playlist is filled with music that makes you feel like you're already seaside.
However you're spending your summer, traveling or staying home, cooking big meals or grazing through the day. We hope it’s filled with beauty, radiance and something good to eat around a table or standing al banco with those you love.
Buon estate,
The Bella Cucina Team