Italian cuisines are culturally rich and rooted in centuries old tradition. They have inspired many other culinary traditions and food, with people taking their own take on Italian flavours. There are some top Italian foods that you must try in Italy to know the authentic Italian flavours.
Italian cuisine focuses on keeping simple ingredients yet making them flavourful. The main star of the ingredients remain ripe tomatoes, extra virgin oil, aromatic herbs and lots of cheese. The aroma of the rich flavours will make you get into the nearest restaurant and devour the food that’s being cooked.
Every region has a speciality and each cuisine is a reflection of Italy’s culture and history. Italy has given the world the most loved food such as pasta, spaghetti and pizza.
They are so loved that almost every country has their own versions of these dishes with their traditional methods of cooking and mix of spices. But tasting authentic Italian food is a pure delight to your senses. You must definitely try some great Italian food when in Italy.
Here are the Top 7 Italian food that you must try in Italy:
1. Risotto
Risotto is a staple rice dish in Italian households. It is not an ordinary dish, the rice typically Arborio, Carnaroli and Vialone Nano, is smothered in a rich broth that contains chicken, vegetables, beef or any other seafood.
The gravy consists of butter, sauteed onions, mushrooms, peas, seafood, meat, white wine, and lots of parmesan cheese for extra flavour.
You will find each region has their versions and types of Risotto. The dish is popular in northern Italy, the Lombardy region and Veneto.
Some versions of Risotto are Risotto alla Milanese, which is flavoured with saffron, Risotto ai Funghi, made with porcini mushrooms, Risotto al Nero di Seppia,, which is flavoured with cuttlefish and Seafood Risotto which includes a mix of shrimps, clams and squids. You should do yourself a favour and try this Italian food to experience the local flavours.
2. Fettuccine Alfredo
Italian food shows you how a dish can stand out even while using basic ingredients and Fettuccine Alfredo is a classic example of that. This pasta dish is just made from some thick fettuccine noodles which are smothered in a flavourful sauce made from butter and parmesan cheese. That’s all it takes to make this creamy dish, extremely simple ingredients.
You can find some variations of this dish where people top the dish with some chicken, shrimps and mushrooms. To try this pasta dish, you can hop into any popular restaurant or even find it on the streets.
3. Neapolitan Pizza
Who would miss out on the golden opportunity of eating an authentic Italian pizza when in Italy? Don’t commit such a crime because you will be missing out on so many flavours. You might be aware that Naples serves the best pizzas since pizza originated from here. The wood fire pizza prepared with some of the best tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and olive oil is like heaven.
Naples shows you that there is no need for fancy toppings to make a good pizza. You just need to stick to the basic preparation. The thin and soft crust melts in your mouth and is a pure delight to your senses. This pizza is one of the top Italian foods you must try in Italy.
4. Melanzane alla Parmigiana
You wouldn’t have realised that an eggplant can taste this good if it weren’t for Melanzane alla Parmigiana to prove you wrong. The eggplant is fried and layered with a thick tomato sauce and topped with cheese and basil.
The Italian seasonings sprinkled on top works like magic for elevating the taste of the dish. You must try this comforting Italian food which is also a traditional Italian dish, when in Italy.
5. Bruschetta
A Bruschetta makes for a perfect snack. This simple toasted bread is topped with tomatoes and the garlic is rubbed on the bread and drizzled with olive oil. Basils and cheese also work as great toppings.
The final touch of salt and pepper makes these toasts extremely flavourful. Many regions can have their own versions too. This Italian food is a must try in Italy, especially if you are in Tuscany or southern Italy.
6. Pasta Carbonara
Pastas served in Italy are of the best kind. Pasta carbonara is also a very popular pasta dish from Rome. The sauce is creamy and interestingly it is made from whisking eggs. To increase its creamy consistency and texture they add parmesan cheese.
Some black pepper, spaghetti and gaunciale add a rich and smoky flavour. This is one Italian food that you must try in Italy.
7. Tiramisu
Although Tiramisu have become world famous and you will find them everywhere, yet Italian Tiramisu is truly a classic dessert. The combination of coffee, cocoa powder, eggs, mascarpone cheese and savoiardi is top notch.
This dessert is loved by people and it is truly chocolate heaven in your mouth. You should definitely try this Italian Tiramisu when in Italy.
Conclusion
Italian food is a celebration of its regional diversity along with centuries old traditions. With using simple ingredients and emphasising on the preparation of food, they make their dishes stand out among the rest.
In this article we discussed the top 7 Italian foods you must try in Italy. Each dish is unique in its own way but holds Italian traditions at core. From famous pizzas to signature pasta dishes, you will find all soul fulfilling cuisines in Italy.
