Must Try Food in Italy

Porchetta: Originating from the central region of Umbria, the Porchetta is the traditional Italian Pork dish that is prominent across Italy. A rich, crackling-coated fatty portion of pork garnished with the strong flavors of garlic, lemon, funnel and herbs originating from the Italian terrains; the Porchetta is a delicious indulgence thanks to its crispy and flavor-filled fillings. The most important aspect of the dish being the meat it uses; Porchetta may be easily made but its authenticity is special to Italy. Popularly available in the form of Porchetta Panino (sandwiches); they are a must try for the seasoning and richness of their tender textures. 

Ribollita: The classic soup from the dreamy land of Tuscany, the Ribollita is a white bean soup (stew) made with vegetables and thickened with day-old bread. With Ribollita meaning reboiled – the dish is unique due to its requirement of chilling and then reheating the soup to add in that extra depth of flavor. Aligning with the Italian concept of creating taste through local, seasonal ingredients; the Ribollita can be commonly found in every restaurant in Italy with the most authentic experiences during the winter months using the winter crops of kale, swiss chard and cannellini beans. Regardless of the ingredients or the restaurant, this is one dish that is sure to leave you craving for more!

Bistecca alla Fiorentina: Another savory delicacy originating from the Tuscan regions, the Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a traditional Florentine Steak that stuns your taste buds with the use of mere five ingredients – Steak, Fresh Rosemary and Sage, Extra virgin Olive oil and the popular kosher salt and ground black pepper adding the extra level of taste. Using the steak from an ancient Tuscan breed – Chianina known for its tasty meat; the dish is seasoned with local spices and grilled over red-hot coals to attain the perfect authentic flavor of this specialty. Ideal for your dinner parties and culinary excursions; the dish is the perfect representation of Tuscan cooking focusing on simplistic cooking of quality ingredients to leave a memorable experience for your taste buds!

Southern Italy

Pizza Napoletana: The renowned style of Pasta originating from the rich streets of Naples is a popular Pizza only to provide its authentic taste in the streets of Italy. With a strong presence of sauces and the minimal presence of Cheese with toppings of tomato, mozzarella cheese and basil; the Pizza Napoletana is a delight for the taste buds. While there might be a lot of pizzerias offering Neapolitan-style Pizzas; they often fail to match the distinct feel of the Pizza Napoletana. When in Italy, try the three variations of Pizza Marinara, Pizza Margherita and the Pizza Margherita Extra made with three distinct types of Cheese to truly experience the beauty of the Pizza Napoletana!

Arancini – Fitting the Sicilian taste buds with their crispy exteriors and creamy fillings the Arancini are a popular Italian snack made of Risotto that is traditionally kneaded into a ball, stuffed and gently fried to curate a flavorful blast of crispy coating made from flour and breadcrumbs followed by the risotto and the melted cheese. Commonly found across the streets of Sicily in their local rosticceria (fast food shops), the dish is also a feast day staple during the St. Lucia celebrations. Made from the local Arborio rice and chicken broth, the Arancini controls its flavors through the Parmesan cheese and olive oil that fuse the ingredients into a package of flavors.

Cannoli: Another specialty from the Sicilian region, the Cannoli is a traditional pastry dessert that combines fried crispy shells of pastry dough with chocolate chips and a sweet creamy filling of ricotta. Garnished with icing sugar, pistachios or candied fruit-they are truly a feast to follow your sumptuous meals. The distinct flavor of this dessert is enriched through its use of sheep’s milk to make the risotto and the adding of filling just before being served that packages the filling along with the dish’s crispiness. A common dessert for all occasions across Italy, the Cannoli is the dessert you simply cannot ignore during your visit to Italy!

Pasta alla Norma: A Sicilian dish of fresh flavors; the Pasta alla Norma is a traditional dish made using fried eggplant and rigatoni pasta providing a simple yet delicious indulgence for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. The Pasta alla Norma involves sautéing the eggplant in a flavorful sauce with sprinkles of ricotta salata cheese to achieve the authentic taste of Sicily. With its flavors relying on the sauce, salata cheese and freshness added by the basil leaves; it is a charming dish for people of all ages. When in Italy, Pasta alla Norma is the comfort food of the Italians and is surely worth the try.

Coastal and Island Specialties

Fritto Misto di Mare: A classic delicacy of the Italian Coast, the Fritto Misto di Mare is a seafood delicacy served across all coastal restaurants of the Italian province. Using a range of seafood specialties like the shrimp, squids, fishes and anchovies; the dish curates an appealing blend of fried fish and assorted seafood that is drenched in flour and fried in oil before being sprinkled with salt while preserving the crunchiness and raw feeling of deep sea flavors with a tiny squint of sweetness. With local variations in the seafood being used, there really is no authentic combination but the richness in simplicity of the dish is what truly sets it apart from other coastal delicacies. 

Spaghetti alle Vongole: The classic recipe for a fulfilling summer evening dinner; the Spaghetti alle Vongole is a simple dish consisting of spaghetti and Arselle clams while being seasoned with garlic, chili, white wine and parsley- all whipped and cooked within thirty minutes! Hailing from the Amalfi coast in the island of Sardinia, this mouth-watering specialty is made with a garlicky aromatic sauce. The Spaghetti alle Vongole invites the taste buds to feast onto its harmonious blend of flavors fused using white wine and olive oil. An authentic Italian seafood meal; the dish is as much of a treat to the eyes as it is to the taste buds thanks to its garnishes and distinct flavors!

Caprese Salad: Beaming through the colors of the Italian Flag, the Caprese salad is amongst the most tasty yet healthiest salads spread originating from the culinary land of Capri in Italy. Made using fresh mozzarella and ripe red tomatoes, the salad is garnished used emerald green basil and a pinch of salt while being served with robust olive oil that provides a fulfilling flavor to the taste buds. While the traditional ingredients remain the space, various regions of Italy may present slight variations in their use of Tomatoes and Cheese with the seasonal addition of Ripe Summer fruits to enhance the authentic taste of the Italian coast.

Caponata: A delightful blend of savory, sweet and sour flavors within a creamy eggplant, the Caponata is amongst the most prominent appetizers across Italy. A Mediterranean specialty involves the use of eggplants roasted and seasoned with salt and olive oil while being sautéed in a sauce made from onion, bell peppers and celery; the dish is authentically made in a solution of white wine and vinegar. While local variations of the Caponata can be commonly found, they slightly differ in their use of raisins, hard boiled eggs and even pine nuts. While it is traditionally used as a side dish for meats as appetizers, the Caponata is also placed on top of bruschetta or crusty bread to enhance the savory taste!