Inspired by a beautiful Marina di Chioggia variety that we found at a Sunday morning Farmers Market, I decided to make this Roasted Pumpkin Risotto (recipe follows).

his is a recipe Didi and I made up (mostly Didi!) when given an enormous bag of freshly foraged Trompette de la Mort mushrooms. It’s wonderful as a starter, but could easily be a full meal when paired with a nice salad. Any mushrooms will do, but wild mushrooms do seem to really make this. If you can’t be bothered to make the béchamel, it’s fine without.

Celebrate mushroom season with a creamy al dente risotto highlighting those wild mushrooms. Enhanced with pancetta, shallots and crisp white wine, and garnished with sharp, salty Parmesan and fresh herbs.

Eggplants are a market staple in Provence. Although this recipe is more Italian in theme, you certainly can find lasagna on menus in Provence. Deep purple aubergines are a somewhat somber contrast to the bright red strawberries and tomatoes that you might find displayed on market stalls. This purple vegetable is a main stay in Provencal cuisine and certainly is a key ingredient in any ratatouille recipe.

Delicate homemade ravioli stuffed with tangy goat cheese and herbs, served with lavender-rosemary-infused brown butter with Marcona almonds and candied orange peel.

Creamy and rich Risotto with crème fraiche, mushrooms and parmesan and delightfully garnished with decadent truffles. If you haven’t tried truffles before then this is the dish for you.

Simple baked potatoes transform into delicious little bites packed full of fall flavours with sage, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.