Gluten-Free Ferragosto Menu: 4 Fresh and Easy Recipes, from Appetizer to Dessert

A Ferragosto to be enjoyed

On Ferragosto, you want to enjoy the table without spending the whole day in the kitchen. With this gluten-free menu, you can bring to the table four different, fresh, and seasonal courses, ranging from the creaminess of vitello tonnato to the delicacy of zucchini risotto. Follow with a colorful chickpea salad and finish with a fresh and delicious peach cheesecake. You can plan several preparations ahead of time and take care of the finishing touches just before serving: this way, you can create a complete meal, enjoyable to share and perfect for a summer day.

Veal with tuna sauce

Veal with tuna sauce is a cold appetizer you can prepare ahead of time and serve effortlessly. Slowly cook the veal with herbs, let it cool, and then slice it thinly. The tuna, egg, anchovy, and caper sauce adds a creamy, savory touch that makes every bite especially appetizing.

Smart tip: let it rest in the refrigerator, seasoned already. The meat will have time to absorb the flavors, and you'll just have to finish the dish before serving. Always check that any packaged ingredients you use are labeled gluten-free.

Risotto with courgettes

Zucchini risotto is a creamy and delicate first course that brings all the flavor of summer vegetables to your menu. Toast the rice, cook it gradually adding the broth, and then add the zucchini to make it delicious. The final creaming with butter and cheese makes the risotto enveloping without overpowering its fresh character.

Smart tip: Keep the broth hot while you cook the rice, so you don't interrupt the cooking process and achieve a more even consistency. If you don't make your own broth, be sure to use a gluten-free one.

Tasty summer chickpea salad

This summer chickpea salad is a fresh, colorful, and hearty dish that can also be served as a summer main course. Chickpeas meet Mediterranean vegetables and ingredients, while the extra virgin olive oil dressing completes the dish without the need for elaborate cooking. Make it ahead of time and serve chilled.

Smart tip: season it a little ahead of time, but add any ingredients you want to keep crunchy at the last minute. If you're using pre-cooked chickpeas or other packaged products, check the label and make sure they're gluten-free!

Lactose- and gluten-free peach cheesecake

This lactose-free and gluten-free peach cheesecake is a refreshing dessert to end your Ferragosto holiday with a truly summery flavor. Prepare a crunchy gluten-free base, cover it with a soft lactose-free cream, and top with peaches, which add color, sweetness, and a pleasant fruity note.

Smart tip: prepare it the day before and let it firm up slowly in the refrigerator. It will be more stable when you cut it, and your dessert will be ready. Use certified gluten-free cookies and check the other packaged ingredients as well.