In Italy, You Know Summer's Almost Over...

When they announce when school will be opening. The date varies Region to Region, and our kids will be heading back to class in September -- Son Riccardo on the 11th and Daughter Clelia on the 15th. This gives us time to arrange a couple more cookouts. A few ideas:

• Mozzarella and Tomatoes: Insalata Caprese
  In small portions this is a nice summer appetizer; in larger amounts it is refreshing summer meal or fine picnic food.
• Bowties with Almonds, String beans, Feta and Tomatoes
  A tasty pasta salad that gains zest from feta cheese, richness from almonds, and balance from string beans.
• Polpettine alla Griglia
  Sicily's delicious grilled meatballs.
• Rosticciana
  Tuscan grilled spare ribs are simplicity in themselves. And very good too.
• Costarelle di Maiale alla Laziale
  Costarelle can be either ribs or chops, depending upon where you happen to be. In Lazio they're boned chops, and quite tasty.

And to finish up? Either Gelato or Macedonia.