Late summer Italian

Each year, I like to make a special end of summer vacation/back to school dinner. I sent Peter a few menu options earlier this week, and this what he chose:

Late summer Italian

Antipasto plate
Zucchini carpaccio
Butter bean risotto with chard and fancy sausages
Bittersweet chocolate and pear cake

I think a lot about creating rituals in our lives, and this is a special one to me. I tend to get sad at the end of summer -- no more fabulous Lilly dresses or nights at Tanglewood or fireworks. But in a strange, little way, this dinner helps me remember that entering into autumn can be lovely, too.