Packing only local products, here are some ideas to enjoy a Ferragosto Mediterranean picnic “English style”, with horses, dog and picnic basket.

Ferragosto is a traditional Mediterranean holiday in Italy, France and Spain, celebrating the Assumption of Mary.
Typically most people are on vacation, and many prepare a picnic spending the day outdoors.
Unfortunately, it is also a time of the year when it is difficult to escape the traffic and queues everywhere.
To enjoy nature at it is best; we went to visit my sister, the Vet, to her mountain cabin in the Natural Park in Sila.
We planned to take my sister and her husband’s two horses, the Jeep, their dog Lina (a pregnant schnauzer) and venture into the Natural Park.
Packing only typical Mediterranean products, we had a Ferragosto Mediterranean picnic “English style”, with horses, dog and picnic basket.
For this Mediterranean picnic, I am choosing some typical Italian products.
Buy some fresh rustic bread loaf to make sandwiches, and complete the meal with some local seasonal fruits and vegetables.
For cheese and meat I bought:
- buffalo's milk Mozzarella
- dolcelatte
- Italian mozzarella
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- Prosciutto Cotto
- Porchetta
For vegetables I selected:
- sundried tomatoes
- sliced artichoke hearts
- Italian chargrilled artichokes in a herb dressing
- wild rocket
- Greek mixed olives in a herb dressing
For drinks and dessert’s:
- Sanpellegrino limonata
- Italian tiramisu
I added from the local farmer’s market:
- A large loaf of local bread
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Lemons
- Pistachios from Bronte
- Pears
- Wild Berries
While my brother in law was preparing the horse, I was busy organizing the Mediterranean picnic.
The Mediterranean picnic
I cut the bread into 5 sections, seasoning the bread with the juice from the tomato salad we made the night before.
It is a natural fresh summer seasoning, the mix of the sweet tomatoes juices, salt and good quality virgin olive oil.
I then prepared 5 different types of sandwich:
Sandwich number 1
- buffalo's milk Mozzarella
- Prosciutto Cotto
- tomato and basil
Sandwich number 2
- Italian mozzarella
- Prosciutto Cotto
- wild rocket
- fresh tomatoes
Sandwich number 3
- porchetta
- sun-dried tomatoes
- wild rocket
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Sandwich number 4 Vegetarian:
- dolcelatte cheese
- sliced artichoke hearts
- sun-dried tomatoes
- basil, pistachios
Sandwich number 5 Vegetarian:
- Italian chargrilled artichokes in a herb dressing
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- wild rocket
- lemon zest and pistachios
As an aperitif, we nibbled on
- Greek mixed olives in a herb dressing
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- and sliced pear.
An old Italian riddle says: “Don’t make the farmer aware, how good is cheese with pear”
We packed our picnic and headed for our adventure.
However, as with any good English picnic, our day was interrupted by the rain!
More than rain, a heavy Mediterranean summer storm!
Luckily enough, as we arrived back home, the dog Lina started her labour and gave birth to 4 puppies.
As a special treat, my son Francesco feed her a Plateau de Fromage made of parmesan crusts.
What an exciting day!
The Calm After the Storm
More recipes from a Vet's cottage
Homemade liquors on the category: Liquors
For more sandwiches and picnic ideas you can check the recipes:
If you are making this Mediterranean picnic, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.
Mediterranean picnic
Ingredients (Commissions Earned)
Meat and cheese
- 1 pkg buffalo's milk Mozzarella
- 1 pkg dolcelatte cheese
- 1 pkg Italian mozzarella
- 1 pkg freshly grated Parmesan
- 6 slices Prosciutto Cotto
- 6 slices Porchetta
Vegetables
- 1 cup sun dried tomatoes
- 1 cup sliced artichoke hearts
- 1 cup Italian chargrilled artichokes in a herb dressing
- 1 cup wild rocket - arugola salad
- ½ cup Greek mixed olives in a herb dressing
- 4 fresh tomatoes
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 1 non treated lemon
- ¼ cup Pistachios from Bronte
- 4 pears
- 2 cup wild berries
Bread
- 1 large rustic bread
Instructions
- I cut the bread into 5 sections, seasoning the bread with the juice from the tomato salad, salt and good quality virgin olive oil.
Sandwich number 1:
- Buffalo's milk mozzarella, prosciutto cotto, tomato and basil
Sandwich number 2:
- Italian mozzarella, prosciutto cotto, wild rocket, fresh tomatoes
Sandwich number 3:
- porchetta, sun-dried tomatoes, wild rocket, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Sandwich number 4 Vegetarian:
- dolcelatte cheese, sliced artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, pistachios
Sandwich number 5 Vegetarian:
- Italian chargrilled artichokes in a herb dressing, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, wild rocket, lemon zest and pistachios
As an aperitif
- Greek mixed olives in a herb dressing, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and sliced pear.
Tinkara
This place looks so beautiful! Maybe I'll go for a trip some day 🙂
Laura
Thank you, I would highly recommend
Catherine Roberts
Wow this is a lovely idea & fab photos! Many Thanks, Cat
Laura
Thank you Cat
Rabz Haq
great post. Book marking!
Laura
Thank you Rabz
Phaytea
Lovely spread and presentation...will definitely get you eating
Laura
Thanks
Veera
I love horses and outdoors 🙂 great post, here in Finland it's still a bit too cold to go out, but hopefully soon!
Laura
Thank you, the puppies were a nice closing
Jenni Petrey
It sounds as though you had a wonderful day out and I love your choice of food. It sounds delicious.
Dusica
I'm already hungry...yummy, i like them all 🙂
Laura
Thanks
Neha kumari
Looks like a fun filled picnic trip. And some wonderful food to make it more funful
Laura
Thank you, Mediterranean mountain at its best
Jerry
Horses, trees and food. What more could you possibly want?
Laura
Thanks, all about nature