A Hill Country Summer in Italy

I’ve just returned from Italy, and while my suitcase may be unpacked, my heart (and tastebuds) are still very much abroad.

There’s something about the rhythm of Italian life — the way meals unfold slowly, the way ingredients sing on their own without needing much fuss, the way herbs like fennel, rosemary, and sage aren’t just seasonings, but signature notes in a long-held symphony of tradition.

And oh, porchetta.

One of my most vivid food memories from this trip happened in Pienza, a small hilltop town in Tuscany that feels plucked from a dream. I was wandering along the cobblestone streets when I passed a tiny butcher shop. In the window was a golden, glistening porchetta — herb-stuffed, slow-roasted, and sliced fresh for hungry passersby. I watched, transfixed, as the knife sank into the crackling skin and released a puff of fragrant steam. My mouth watered. My soul soared.

And I knew — I’d be recreating that moment the moment I got home.

Making “Porchetta” at Home

This week, I leaned into those cravings and made a porchetta-style pork roast right here in my cozy Hill Country kitchen. It’s not a traditional whole-rolled porchetta (bless the Italians and their butchery skills), but it captures the essence: juicy pork shoulder marinated with fennel seeds, garlic, fresh rosemary and sage — roasted low and slow until tender, then finished high to crisp the outside. It filled the house with the kind of scent that draws people into the kitchen just to ask, “What are you making?”

It’s funny how food can carry you back to places you’ve loved. And in this case, it brought a little piece of Italy to my table — and maybe now to yours.
To complement the herbaceous, savory depth of the porchetta, I reached for a Sangiovese — Italy’s signature red and a natural match for pork. With its bright acidity, notes of cherry and dried herbs, and just enough earthiness to stand up to the fennel, rosemary, and sage, this wine balances richness without overwhelming it. A well-made Texas Sangiovese brings all that Old World charm with a sun-drenched Hill Country soul — making it the perfect pour for this dish. Serve it slightly chilled for a summer-friendly pairing that feels effortless and elegant.

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Ready to bring some Italian sunshine to your kitchen?
Here’s my Porchetta-Style Pork Roast — inspired by Pienza, infused with flavor, and perfect for sharing.

With grace, grit & gratitude,

xx, JeriLynne