Schiacciata is flat bread, typical in Tuscany and is usually sold salty. We eat it at lunch filled like a sandwich and more generally as a salty snack. Schiacciata con l’uva, or schiacciata with grapes, is found in early Autumn, when bakeries prepare it using grapes from the harvest. It is oven baked, filled with grapes and, it is delicious!
When to eat schiacciata con l’uva
The end of summer here in Italy means saying goodbye to fun days out at the beach, hot
evening strolls and gelato at any time of the day. For most of us, ‘il rientro’ (the return to regular life after our summer holidays) brings a little melancholy as we salute the long days, beautiful sunsets on the beach and our sun-kissed skin.
September however is not to be underestimated, with the end of summer in sight
the moment arrives in which nature explodes, the humid heat of the past months passes and
farmers begin to harvest grapes which have absorbed the golden sun over the long, hot
summer months.
Grape harvest season in Tuscany is not only about the wine, during ‘la
vendemmia’ which, in Tuscany, ranges from the end of August until mid October. It’s also when the small
farming hamlets and towns begin to host ‘sagre’ and other festivals all in honour of this
wonderful fruit.
Why you must try schiacciata con l’uva!
One of my favourite autumn snacks here in Florence is the ‘schiacciata con l’uva’, which basically means flat bread with grapes. It’s typical here in Florence but also in some other areas of Tuscany such as Prato and Grosseto and is often referred to as ‘stiacciata con l’uva’ here in Florence.
It’s an ancient Etruscan tradition that long lives on today in this beautiful city. It is a type of sweet, double-layered, focaccia-style flatbread with fresh grapes pressed on top and then baked in the oven only after adding a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. The traditional grapes used for this recipe are the canaiolo variety.
Like many other traditional Tuscan dishes, Schiacciata con l’uva is yet another delicious way of taking what
the land offers us and in a very simple and humble way… serving something which is divinely
delicious.
Make sure you check out these bakeries in Florence for some of the best Schiacciata con l’uva
in the city….and remember once October has passed, you’ll have to wait another year for your
next chance!
5 best places to eat schiacciata con l’uva in Florence
1. Lo Schiacciavino – San Frediano
Where: Via Pisana, 10/R, 50143 Firenze FI
Opened in September 2021, the third Schiacciavino in Florence is right in the heart of San Frediano. Go here to enjoy a delicious slice of schiacciata con l’uva paired with a luscious glass of Bolghieri – top!
2. Antico Forno Giglio – Gioberti
Where: Via Vincenzo Gioberti, 151r
Go here to take away schiacciata con l’uva and eat it on the go. This small bakery, a local institution, has been baking bread, pizza and focaccia for almost eighty years. A must try in Florence.
3. Pasticceria Giorgio – Soffiano
Where: Via Duccio da Buoninsegna, 36 – Zona Soffiano
Off the beaten path slightly, it’s well worth the trip! Pasticceria Giorgio is without a doubt one of the best ‘pasticcerie‘ (pastry shops) in Florence. Known for its famous schiacciata alla fiorentina, you won’t be disappointed with their schiacciata con l’uva. Just a warning, try to go during the week … it gets really busy on weekends!
4. Forno Pugi – various
Where: Piazza San Marco, 9/b – Viale Edmondo de Amicis, 49 – Via Anton Francesco Doni, 10 – Via S. Gallo, 62/r
Pugi, established in 1925, is a guarantee of excellence. Whichever bakery you try, you’ll always find freshly baked products including the schiacciata con l’uva at the right time of year. Definitely worth adding to the list!
5. Il Chicco di Grano – Santa Croce
Where: piazza Ghiberti, inside the famous and ancient market of Sant’Ambrogio
One of the historic bakers in Florence and one of the most famous for the schiacciata with grapes! Double layer of bread and lots of grapes that overflow when you sink a bite. Buon appetito!
