Italy is home to a rich history of politics, art, philosophy, and, most importantly to some, a classic culinary scene that is cherished the world over. Whether it’s the Roman favorite of Carbonara, the pizza of Napoli, the steaks of Tuscany, or the variety of wines that accompany each dish so well, Italian food is hard to match. So while you might be thinking of booking flights to Faro, or Southern France for your next holiday, your stomach will be asking you to bring it to the home of one of these delicious dishes.
Carbonara, Rome
Courtesy of foodrepublic.com
While Rome has many specialty cuisines, like Pizza Blanca or Quinto Quarto, there isn’t another dish in the world that will get Romans arguing over what restaurant or whose family recipe creates the best Carbonara. The traditional Roman recipe omits the cream that many other places add to this dish, and the combination of egg, bacon, romano and white wine come together with spaghetti noodles to make clean and deep flavors that you’ll not soon forget.
Pizza, Napoli
Like so many contemporary favorites, pizza started out as a dish made for the poor, and was a basic flatbread that was sold on the streets. The beginning of the version we recognize, however, did not start to take form until the late 16th century after tomatoes had been introduced to Italy by explorers returning from the Americas (specifically, Peru). From then on fish, cheese, oil, and other toppings began to be added to pizza, though the classic pizza napoletana is still an all time favorite of the region.
Bistecca Fiorentina, Florence
Courtesy of chow.com
This rustic and simple dish is the epitome of Florentine cuisine and Tuscan tastes, which allows immaculate produce and the freshness of local goods to create hearty flavors. The bistecca fiorentina is an Italian-style T-bone steak, and is usually served with a side a ribollita (vegetable soup), and a carafe of Chianti wine. If you’re looking to share, then order pasta and artichokes on the side to augment the meal.
Risotto, Venice
Perhaps it has something to do with the waterways and canals that surround this beautiful city, but one of Venice’s most famous dishes is in fact a brothier version of what you’ll know as risotto, and is what Venetians will call risotto all’onda. In this style, more broth is added to the risotto, giving it its namesake texture—all’onda, meaning to flow like waves–while still holding its creamy flavors and consistency. You may have to stray from the tourist spots to find this dish, but it’s well worth it.
So while booking your holidays be sure to keep in mind that it’s not just history and relics that make-up Italy’s wealth of culture, but a cuisine that will have you coming back for more.
