Italian Food Guide - An Endless Journey

Describing all the typical products of Italy in a fast Italian food guide is really hard. However it's possible to list the typical dishes that make Italy so famous throughout the world.

Its cuisine and delicious local products are appreciated by many visitors, because they are one of the most important parts of its cultural and natural heritage.

Definitely one of the most popular and loved dishes is the "Pizza". The classic "Pizza Margherita" of Naples, with tomato, mozzarella and basil, is the most popular and appreciated for the simplicity and goodness of its ingredients that make it unique.

Pasta Takes It All

Another typical product always in fashion for its different variants is "Pasta". One of these are definitely the traditional and tasty "Spaghetti al sugo (tomato sauce)" with grated Parmesan cheese.

Alternatively, a simple but renowned dish as the "Spaghetti aglio e oglio (with garlic and chili oil)" can be prepared, whose unique flavor delights many tasters. Unquestionably among the most popular culinary specialties of the Italian tradition there's "Lasagna" too.

Related to the pasta are "Gnocchi alla sorrentina", made with potatoes and flavored with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. So the "Orecchiette alle cime di rapa (with turnip tops)" from Apulia, which combine pasta and vegetables, or "Tortellini", tasty little bundles of egg pasta filled with meat, ham, ricotta and vegetables, served in soup or with meat sauce.

From Main to Course

About main courses in Italian food guide, the "Bistecca alla Fiorentina" immediately comes to mind, about 400 grams of roasted steak rare served with a slice of lemon. As an alternative to meat there are "Alici marinate (marinated anchovies)", raw blue fish "cooked" in a sauce of olive oil, lemon and parsley. The side dish "par excellence" is the "Parmigiana di Melanzane (eggplant)", made with eggplant slices fried in olive oil alternating with cheese, tomato sauce, boiled eggs and bread crumbs.

In Italian cooking another good habit when there's no time to cook or for a great happy hour is to accompany the bread with deli meats (as "Prosciutto Crudo") and cheese. Among them, certainly the most special is the "Mortadella di Bologna", derived from pork and filled with fat cubes, olives, pistachios and peperoncino.

Among the cheeses instead, especially in summer, "Mozzarella"is a key element of many Italian dishes, such as the "Caprese". There are many types of it, including the famous "Mozzarella di Bufala". Another unique "made in Italy" cheese is "Parmigiano Reggiano", a complete food, daily on Italian tables, grated or cut into small pieces to be enjoyed with bread and wine.

Here Comes The Dessert

Even desserts have to be included in this Italian food guide. The most beloved Italian dessert is the delicious "Tiramisù", mentioned in all the menus of Italian restaurants throughout the world.

It goes from classic tiramisù made of biscuits dipped in coffee layered with sweetened mascarpone cheese, bitter cocoa powder and liquor, to other variants with berries, whipped cream or ice cream.

Home - Italian Food Culture - Italian Food Guide