Italian food is not only pasta and pizza
Food is an important part of Italian culture, and if you want to get to know Italy, then you can start with the food. Besides pasta and pizza, today, let's see what other niche cuisines Italy has to offer!
Risotto
One of the staple foods in Italy is rice. And risotto is also one of the most famous traditional Italian dishes. It is made with various meat, fish or vegetable soups, onions, olive oil or butter (or even lard), white wine and Parmesan cheese.
In Italy, the most authentic risotto is made with Italian round or Carnaroli rice, commonly known as Risotto with Chicken Meatballs, Risotto with Mushrooms, Risotto with Seafood, Risotto with Prawns and Risotto with Minced Beef.
Risi e bisi
Risi e bisi is one of the most common traditional Italian foods. It is not a risotto, but a thick soup. It originated in Venice and is usually flavored with Italian bacon.
Carpaccio
Carpaccio is a traditional Italian appetizer made from thinly sliced meat or fish. The original carpaccio comes from Venice and is made from sliced beef. If you go to Venice, you can try this flavorful little dish.
Prosciutto
Prosciutto is usually raw ham, with very few cooked hams. Prosciutto originated in the Po River Valley and is often served as an appetizer throughout Italy. Sometimes prosciutto is also called Parma ham because the most popular prosciutto comes from Parma in the Emilia Romagna region of the Po Valley.
Bruschetta
This is a type of toasted bread slice that originated in ancient Rome and is an Italian appetizer. Traditionally, the grilled bread is rubbed with garlic and decorated with olive oil and salt. It is sometimes served with cheese, tomatoes, prosciutto, salami and a variety of vegetables, the most popular pairing being tomatoes and basil.
Vitello Tonatto
Tuna with veal is a famous Italian dish used as a cold appetizer. In the past, tuna with veal was a typical Christmas dish.It originates from the Piedmont region and is made from veal and tuna. Usually, the veal is sliced, covered with a tuna sauce and seasoned with sashimi, anchovies, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Melanzane Alla Parmigiana
Cheese Baked Eggplant is a traditional Italian dish made from a combination of eggplant, tomatoes and parmesan cheese, baked in the oven. This dish originated in Sicily and Campania and is one of the most famous dishes in Italy.
Polpette
Italian meatballs are made from ground meat (usually beef), eggs, parsley and Parmesan cheese. Meatballs can also be made from fish, which is then called "crochette". Meatballs are usually served as a snack or as a second course. In southern Italy, it is served as a main course with tomato sauce.
Tiramisu
Tiramisu is one of the most famous cakes in Italy. Tiramisu is made of coffee, finger cookies and sweet cream (consisting of mascarpone cheese, eggs and sugar), sometimes with the addition of liqueur. Originally produced in Treviso, tiramisu has since become popular throughout Italy and the world.
Panna Cotta
Panna Cotta is another famous Italian dessert made from flavored cream (usually coffee, rum or vanilla flavored) and served with berries, chocolate or caramel sauce. In addition, it may be decorated with some wine and fruit.