For us, summer isn’t measured in degrees, but in light-hearted feelings. It’s that sudden urge to kick off your shoes, sit on the ground, and eat with your hands. It’s the freedom of picking a meadow over a table—and doing it with flavor and style.

So, what goes into the picnic basket? Forget the usual sad salads and tired sandwiches. Today, we’re going on a flavorful journey through Northeastern Italy with our favorite sidekick: Montasio PDO.

Here are three delicious, practical, summer-friendly, and original recipes to pack in your picnic basket—alongside a good bottle and the joy of unwinding.

Roast beef sandwich with fresh Montasio, arugula, and mustard

The picnic sandwich is a classic, but we’re turning it into a little symphony of flavors.

Take a rustic bun or ciabatta, spread a bit of mustard (mild or spicy, your call), layer on some thin slices of roast beef, a generous amount of finely sliced fresh Montasio, and a good handful of arugula.

The result? A summer-ready sandwich that’s hearty yet refined—perfect to eat with one hand while holding a cool drink in the other.

Potato, green bean and Montasio salad: a comforting classic

Simple, delicious the next day, and (bonus!) heat-proof.

Boil some potatoes and green beans (or swap in arugula for a peppery kick), let them cool, then toss with diced Montasio mezzano. Dress with extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and a few fresh basil leaves—then chill in the fridge.

This salad travels easily in a jar, is great cold, and makes for a savory treat you can take anywhere.

Savory muffins with aged Montasio, cured ham, and grilled zucchini

Savory muffins are picnic perfection: make-ahead, mess-free, and easy to hold.

Prepare a basic muffin batter (eggs, flour, milk, EVOO, baking powder), then add in diced grilled zucchini, bits of cured ham, and a generous handful of grated aged Montasio.

Bake, cool, pack them up—and watch them disappear before you even get the blanket on the grass.