Today’s blog comes from our food expert Liam Anderson, he’s a pro on all things food. Here’s his take on what you should be eating when vising Italy….
We all love pizza and pasta! We really do, and it just so happens that Italy makes the best pizza and pasta on the planet. You already knew that though, didn’t you? Yes you did, and that’s because it’s one of the few universally recognised food facts of this world. However, perhaps something you didn’t know is that there are hundreds of mouth-watering Italian dishes that, given the chance, will submerse your taste buds deep into the heart of this fabulous country’s cuisine. We’ve mustered up for you a selection of our top 5 favourite dishes. Here’s to being adventurous, cheers!
1) Focaccia di Recco
Image: www.giallozafferano.it
Let’s start with a classic from the Liguria region of Italy, Focaccia di Recco. Wafer thin pieces of crisp Focaccia surround a layer of creamy Crescenza cheese. Sink your teeth into the crisp exterior and discover the gooey centre, which oozes with flavour. A definite winner in our books.
2) Osso Buco Milanese
Image: www.convivial.org
This next one’s for all those meat lovers out there (bear with us fellow veggies and vegans we haven’t forgotten you). Osso Buco Milanese tastes as good as it sounds! A cross-cut of veal shanks are braised slowly with white wine and vegetables until they reach a pinnacle of deliciousness. The dish is often complimented with Gremolata, a condiment made with lemon zest, garlic and parsley.
3) Cacciucco
Image: www.cookaround.com
Prepare to have whatever ideas you had of seafood rocked out of this world with this exquisite dish. Cacciucco is a hearty Italian stew originating from Livorno, Tuscany that packs a zesty kick. Traditionally it should incorporate 5 different types of fish, one for each ‘c’, but this can vary from restaurant to restaurant. The fish rests amongst a sage and garlicky stock, and the crusty bread provided is perfect for soaking up those beautiful juices, so good in fact it will have you demanding more. Just make sure you save room for desert!
4) Italian Red Wine
Image: www.pillariwine.com.hk
Now we know what you’re thinking, we’re well aware wine isn’t a food, but to some of us it is as good as, and besides, Italian red wine is world renowned for its quality and flavour. If you’re thinking to splash out, ask your waiter to recommend a wine to go with your meal.
5) Calzone
Image: thesauce.atbbq.com
For those of you who STILL thinking about pizza we’ve conjured up a worthy alternative. Meet the Calzone, or as we call it, a stuffed pizza filled with selection of cheeses, meats and vegetables. This dish is a popular one all over Italy, however its roots stem from Naples.
There we have it, our top 5 favorite foods to try while visiting Italy. There’s plenty more fantastic dishes that were missed out, let us know which ones are your favorites! Have we tempted you to pack up and head to Italy and try these for yourself?
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