Buon Appetito: Specialty Food to Try in Italy (and at Home!)
· 3 min read
From the beginning, Italy has had a rich food culture. One of the things that draws people to visit Italy is the magnitude of delicious and iconic dishes that people want to experience - la dolce vita! Whether you’re a pizza connoisseur or have a sweet tooth and want to try all the gelato flavors, Italian food will satisfy your taste buds and leave you full and happy! We’ve put together a guide to help navigate some of the iconic and special dishes you should try while exploring Italy and we share a bit of the history of how they became the best specialty foods in the country.
Spaghetti alla Carbonara
Spaghetti alla Carbonara is one of the most iconic and popular dishes from Rome. The origin of the dish is a little vague but most Italians point back to a time when men worked in the mountains making charcoal for fuel. They would cook noodles tossed with eggs and cheese and chunks of pork to make a hearty and satisfying meal during their long shifts. Alla carbonara derives from the word carbonara which means ‘charcoal burner’ in Italian. Today though, people from Italy to America and everywhere in between love this creamy, gooey, hearty Italian classic dish!
Tiramisu
With layers of mascarpone cheese, chocolate, delicate ladyfingers, whipped cream, and espresso liquor, this is one of the most iconic desserts you can enjoy while in Italy. Tiramisu, which literally means ‘pick me up’ in Italian, will definitely satisfy and give you a little burst of energy!
Pizza
When in Rome, eat as the Romans do right?! Well while in Italy, you have to partake in authentic Italian pizza. The creation of this dish is so respected, that there is a special word for a pizza chef: pizzaiolo. Depending on the region and city you’re visiting you’ll find a different type of pizza. Pizza Napoletana from Napoli is a pizza with a tall fluffy crust while Pizza Tonda Romana is a style of pizza with thin crispy crust. Oh and beware when ordering a “pepperoni” pizza while in Italy! If you ask the chef for a large pepperoni pizza, you will most likely be served a piping hot pizza of peppers. Pepperoni as we’ve come to love it in the States is not common in Italy and usually only found in the touristy spots!
Risotto
Translated from Italian, risotto means ‘rice’. This is a staple in many Italian diets, especially in Northern Italy. Risotto prepared the Italian way is a creamy dish made from short-grain Arborio rice, some form of broth, and topped with delicious seafood, cheese, or mushrooms. This creamy, rich, and decadent meal is always a filling meal and leaves you feeling full, warm, and happy after a long day of sightseeing.
Gelato
Gelato, a treat that many people enjoy around the world, originated in Italy and literally means ‘frozen’ in Italian. Pretty accurate description! This creamy sweet treat dates back to the late 1600s when an Italian chef, Francesco Procopio, opened up a little café in Paris and started serving this decadent treat. Gelato is a creamy, rich and smooth frozen treat that is made more milk, less cream and no eggs unlike its cousin ice cream. No matter which way you scoop it, you can’t go wrong with this deliciously sweet, smooth dessert… or mid-day snack! Bonus points? Drown your gelato with a pouring of hot espresso to create an affogato. Bellissimo!
(Image by https://coffeegeek.tv/)
Our serving recommendation? Best enjoyed with a Livestream Virtual Tour. ;0)
Since food is a way of life, Italians have truly cultivated a tourism around food which is unlike many other countries in this world. So let your taste buds go wild! Enjoy different styles of handcrafted pizza, save room for a little sweet treat, and never forget to save a little room for a glass of Italian wine or cup of espresso to really immerse yourself in the Italian culinary experience.
Categories: A Taste Of - Food Feature