Easter Monday picnic: a practical menu with Italian preserves
Easter Monday (Pasquetta — the Italian tradition of spending the day outdoors after Easter Sunday) is the Italian version of an outdoor brunch: traditional, social, and — if well organised — perfectly achievable with 2 hours of preparation the evening before.
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Preserves are the secret ingredient of a successful Pasquetta picnic: they travel well, require no on-site cooking, and transform an ordinary sandwich into a gourmet one.
Here is a tested menu for 6 people.
The menu at a glance
| Course | What |
|---|---|
| Aperitivo | Savoury board + white wine |
| Cold "main" | Pasta or rice salad |
| Sandwiches (2 versions) | Semolina bread with oil preserves and cheese |
| Fruit + dessert | Fresh fruit + jam tart (crostata) |
Quantities for 6 people, total weight to transport: ~3.5 kg.
1. Aperitivo: savoury board at room temperature
Everything that requires no active refrigeration:
- 100 g taralli pugliesi (Apulian ring-shaped savoury crackers from Puglia)
- 100 g rosemary grissini (breadsticks)
- 1 small jar (200 g) mixed olives in oil
- 1 small jar (200 g) artichokes in oil
- 1 small jar (200 g) roasted peppers in oil
- 200 g aged cheese in cubes (Pecorino, Provolone)
Transport: large airtight container, cheese wrapped in baking paper.
2. Cold pasta or rice salad
An oil-preserves-friendly version that tastes nothing like the bland supermarket versions:
Ingredients for 6:
- 500 g short pasta (penne, fusilli) or parboiled rice
- 1 jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil (with their oil)
- 1 jar aubergines in oil
- 50 g pitted black olives
- 150 g buffalo mozzarella, cubed
- 100 g rocket (arugula)
- 30 g toasted pine nuts
- Fresh basil leaves
Preparation: the evening before. Everything in a large airtight container. Add mozzarella + rocket in the morning (they need to stay fresh).
3. Sandwiches (2 versions)
Bread: 1 semolina loaf (~800 g), cut into sandwich portions.
Version A — Aubergine and ricotta
- Semolina bread
- Aubergine strips in oil
- Spread of fresh ricotta
- Basil leaves
- Freshly ground black pepper
Version B — Prosciutto and artichokes
- Semolina bread
- Sweet prosciutto crudo (Italian cured ham)
- Artichoke wedges in oil
- Shaved Parmigiano
- Rocket
Logistics: assemble in the morning, wrap each sandwich in greaseproof paper + foil. Transport in a basket.
4. Fruit and dessert
- Basket of strawberries + pre-washed apples
- Classic jam tart (crostata — an Italian shortcrust pastry tart, prepared the evening before): 350 g shortcrust pastry + 200 g artisan strawberry jam
For those who don't want to bake: 1 colomba pasquale (Italian Easter dove cake — a traditional sweet bread shaped like a dove, available at Easter) + 1 small jar of artisan lemon jam (Sfusato variety) to spread at the moment.
Complete logistics checklist
Prepare the evening before (90 minutes)
- Pasta/rice salad
- Crostata tart (if you're making it)
- Savoury board already packed in container
- Wine bottles in the fridge
Prepare in the morning (30 minutes)
- Assemble sandwiches
- Add rocket and mozzarella to the salad
- Wash and cut fruit
- Cool bag with ice packs
Bring along
- 2 cool bags (one for sandwiches + dairy, one for fruit + wine)
- 1 traditional basket for the savoury board
- Picnic blanket / outdoor tablecloth
- Plates, glasses, compostable (or reusable) cutlery
- Corkscrew
- Napkins, wet wipes
- Rubbish bag
What NOT to bring (common mistakes)
- ❌ Cold grilled meat (loses flavour)
- ❌ Mozzarella unwrapped in paper (drips, soaks containers)
- ❌ Open sauces without sealed jars (spillage risk)
- ❌ Cream-based desserts (unstable in the heat)
- ❌ Opened fizzy drinks (go flat in the sun)
Recommended wines
For 6 people, 2 bottles are sufficient:
- 1 very chilled white wine (Vermentino, Falanghina) for the aperitivo and salad
- 1 rosé (Southern rosé, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo) for the sandwiches
Bottles in a cool bag with ice packs. Serve cool but not ice-cold.
Frequently asked questions
How much food for 6 people?
Tested quantity: ~3 kg of food + 2 bottles of wine. There will be a little left over, which is ideal. Never less, never much more.
Can I use preserves opened a few days ago?
Only if stored correctly: in the fridge, covered with oil, using clean utensils, within 7 days of opening. If in doubt about freshness, better to open new jars.
Do open jars travel well?
Only if you transfer them into airtight containers first. Transporting open jars with just their original lid is risky (oil leaks). Better to decant into clean kitchen containers for the picnic.
What if it rains?
Plan B: Easter Monday indoors with the same menu, on a large blanket on the living room floor. Works just as well, with the advantage of a nearby bathroom.
How long do the sandwiches last at the picnic?
Wrapped in paper + foil, in a cool bag with ice packs: 4–5 hours. Beyond that, be careful with dairy (mozzarella, ricotta) in the heat.
Idea for the leftovers?
The leftover pasta salad can also be eaten for dinner. Open preserves keep in the fridge. Leftover sandwiches last 1 day in the fridge (quality not excellent but edible).
Related articles
The perfect Italian aperitivo
For your Easter Monday picnic:
Artisan oil preserves for the picnic · Artisan jams
