Check out Italy's irresistible dishes
With a rich culinary legacy that has been tantalizing taste buds all over the world, Italy is a haven for food lovers. This culinary paradise offers a wide variety of must-try dishes that perfectly embody the spirit of Italian food. If you are planning your first trip to Italy anytime soon, be sure to try these delectable dishes.
Risotto
Risotto is one of the most well-known Italian dishes in the world. What sets risotto apart is its creamy and velvety texture. Arborio rice, a starchy short-grain rice, serves as the base for this dish. It's gently toasted in butter or olive oil, then gradually cooked by adding hot broth in small increments. A versatile dish, Risotto allows for endless variations with its ingredients.
Pizza Napoletana
Pizza Napoletana, or Neapolitan pizza, is a culinary treasure hailing from Naples. What distinguishes this pizza is its authenticity and adherence to tradition. The pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven at extremely high temperatures. The toppings are minimalistic, typically consisting of San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella cheese (usually buffalo mozzarella), fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Polenta
The dish made of corn is a staple in the northern provinces, cherished for its long-standing presence in local diets Originally, it featured a blend of grains, but nowadays, it's typically prepared with ground corn, ranging from coarse to fine flour. Its creamy texture serves as a canvas for various savory and sweet enhancements. It's an excellent base for a wide range of toppings.
Ribollita
Tuscany, known for its towering cypress trees and never-ending rolling hills, is also the origin of numerous hearty dishes, like ribollita. The term which translates to "to boil again," was typically made by reboiling leftover bean and vegetable soups the next day. It's a hearty Tuscan soup made from bread, cannellini beans, kale, and other vegetables. It's a comforting dish with deep, earthy flavors.
Gnocchi
Potatoes, which thrive in the country's northern, cooler climatic regions, are used to make these tiny, plump dumplings. Typically, flour is used as the binder to shape the mounds with mashed potatoes. Today, gnocchi is also prepared using spinach, ricotta, pumpkin, maize flour, and semolina. Although tomato sauce is a common accompaniment, it also goes well with pesto, marinara, melted butter, and sage sauces.
