E' Anche Tempo Di Mele!

Mention the harvest at this time of year in Italy, and people will assume you're talking about the grape harvest, because the vineyards are all full of people snipping bunches and putting them into baskets for their trip to the cellar. But there are other harvests too, and Italy's apple crop is one of Europe's largest. Though most obvious option when faced with an apple is to take a bite, there are many other possibilities:

• Risotto alle Mele: Apples are extraordinarily versatile in the kitchen, and though they are most commonly associated with pork in savory dishes (in Italy too), they work quite nicely in this apple risotto, which is certain to delight children of all ages.
• Risotto Alle Mele e Salsicce: I have always enjoyed the combination of apples and sausages, usually at breakfast. Here we instead have them subsequently, in a tasty and slightly unusual apple and sausage risotto.
• Filetto di Maiale alle Mele: Pork and apples are a universal combination. This recipe calls for a whole pork loin, and will take about an hour and a half to prepare.
• Involtini di Maiale alle Mele: Apples and pork make for wonderful rollups.
• Cosce di Pollo con Mele e Cipolle: Chicken Legs with Apples and Onions are quite easy to do, and elegant too.
• Budino Di Mele: Apple pudding is quite nice in the fall.
• Mele Cotte Ripiene: Baked Stuffed Apples are satisfying, and easy to make. Also elegant enough to serve company.
• Mele in Marmellata: Apple marmalade is one of the easiest marmalades to make, because the pectin content of the apples insures that it will gel.