Every year on June 2nd, Italy honors the Festa della Repubblica: a day that commemorates the birth of the Italian Republic and celebrates identity, unity, and shared heritage. Though the holiday has just passed, the spirit of the occasion lingers. At Casa Rinaldi, we believe that one of the most powerful expressions of Italian pride is found not in words, but in flavors. And what better way to pay tribute to the tricolore, green, white, and red, than through dishes that embody the colors and soul of Italian cuisine?
Here are three vibrant recipes that bring the Italian flag to life on the plate, each one capturing the beauty, simplicity, and richness of our culinary landscape.
Green: octopus salad with pesto alla Genovese and potatoes
The green of Italy is vibrant, bold, and full of life, just like pesto alla Genovese, made with fragrant basil, rich olive oil, and aged Parmigiano. This refreshing salad pairs tender octopus with potatoes and a generous spoonful of pesto, creating a dish that feels both traditional and unexpected. Each bite is a journey to Liguria’s coastal kitchens, where simplicity and freshness are the only rules that matter. It’s a celebration of green that evokes the countryside, the sea, and everything in between.
White: egg lasagna with grilled vegetables
Layer upon layer of delicate egg pasta sheets, béchamel, and lightly grilled vegetables come together in a dish that is elegant in its simplicity.
The creamy whiteness of the béchamel speaks to the purity and balance that white represents in the Italian flag. Soft zucchini, artichokes, and thin slices of eggplant bring depth and earthiness, while keeping the focus on freshness and lightness. A comforting classic, reimagined in a way that’s just as fitting for a family lunch as it is for a summer gathering.
Red: cod fillet alla pizzaiola
Few things evoke the soul of Southern Italy like a pizzaiola-style sauce: a rich blend of tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil. Here, it meets the delicate tones of a perfectly cooked cod fillet, creating a contrast that’s both rustic and refined. The sweetness of sun-ripened tomatoes wraps around the fish, while Mediterranean herbs lend intensity and aroma. This dish is all about the red of the Tricolore: full of warmth, character, and unmistakable Italian passion.
June 2nd may be behind us, but the essence of Festa della Repubblica isn’t something we pack away with the flags. It lives on, in the quiet pride of a well-prepared dish, in the fragrance of fresh basil, in the golden swirl of olive oil over a plate just before serving. These tricolore-inspired recipes aren’t just seasonal tributes. They’re a way to keep Italy at the table, not only in colors, but in values: simplicity, beauty, and the joy of sharing something good.
From all of us at Casa Rinaldi: buon appetito, and viva l’Italia!