Photo: Contiki
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Food is a critical component of any culture, but in Italy, it’s more than just that… Italian food is warm and delicious and nourishing, and it’s what brings families and friends together, with authentic recipes shared and passed down generation to generation. Italian food is also one of the most popular cuisines in the world – I mean, who doesn’t want to curl up with a fresh bowl of pasta every night?
So, if you want to get your taste buds on the best Italian food EVER, then you’re going to have to make the trip there. And while you plan your trip, you can learn all about it here!
Some notes on Italian food
Italian food is based on the Mediterranean diet, and as such ingredients like olive oil, fresh seasonal vegetables, bread, cheese, and local meats are all part of the cuisine’s makeup. The cuisine stems all the way back to Ancient Rome, and honestly hasn’t changed much since – except for the addition of tomatoes. Fun fact! Tomatoes, which are such a prominent ingredient in Italian food, don’t actually originate from Italy and they had to be brought over way back when. Where were they brought over from? The Americas in the 16th century! Crazy, right?
If you’ve ever wondered how Italians are able to eat so many carbs like in pasta and pizza while keeping a healthy diet, it’s because Italians make many things at home, and they always use fresh and very basic ingredients. Our farm-to-table experience in Umbria will teach you all about this.
Image source:Contiki
Pasta
Enough history, now onto the good stuff. The best Itailan food usually comes in the form of pasta – and there are many delicious forms of pasta. So here are 10 pasta dishes that you can enjoy all over Italy on your next trip. Personally, my mouth is already watering…
1. Pasta alla carbonara
Probably one of the most famous and beloved pasta dishes is Carbonara. It’s creamy and cheesy and the saltiness of the pork just creates the perfect blend of flavours! The exact recipe is hotly debated around the rest of the world. To use or not to use egg whites. Is pancetta okay? But the real Italian recipe includes only 4 ingredients: egg yolks, guanciale (sort of like a fancier bacon), parmigiano reggiano, and spaghetti. That’s it, and it’s incredible.
If you want a taste of real authentic carbonara, make sure to order a plate (or 5) from La Trattoria de Gli Amici on our Simply Italy trip!
Image source:Zoran Borojevic / unsplash
2. Pastina
Get ready for some pure heart-warming Italian comfort food. Pastina is a dish that many Italians are served as children and grow up loving. It’s perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather or are in need of a hug from home. Tiny star shaped pasta is boiled in vegetable broth with salt and pepper, and once all the liquid is soaked up, parmesan cheese is sprinkled on top. Voilà! The cosiest pasta dish ever.
3. Linguine alla Vongole
Calling all seafood lovers, linguine alla vongole is for you! Fresh and easy, linguine alla vongole is made of linguine (duh) and clams, along with white wine, a squeeze of lemon, and fresh herbs like parsley. Best enjoyed when you’re lazing about in a coastal Italian town like Amalfi or Puglia, you really can’t go wrong here. Unless you don’t like clams I guess…
4. Pasta alla Zozzona
Coming at you straight from Rome, pasta alla zozzona is often called ‘dirty pasta’ because it’s a sinful combination of carbonara and amatriciana. The dish includes both guanciale and italian sausage for rich flavours, as well as egg yolks and tomatoes to create the silkiest sauce. Pasta alla zozzona is basically the sexiest pasta dish ever.
5. Linguine alla Puttanesca
Linguine alla puttanesca is an elegant pasta dish, in my opinion. It was created in Naples, and it is made of linguine, a simple tomato sauce, capers, olives, anchovies, and plenty of olive oil and fresh herbs. It’s the perfect dish to enjoy during a romantic summer evening in Naples and it pairs perfectly with a crisp Aperol spritz.
6. Pappardelle al Ragù di Manzo
Ragù, aka bolognese, is the sumptuous meat sauce that we all know and love. But there’s nothing quite like having it on a bed of pappardelle, which are basically beautiful pasta ribbons. The ragù itself is made with slow cooked shredded beef or pork, complemented with a local red wine. It’s rich and undeniably one of the best Italian foods ever.
7. Pasta alla Norma
Hailing from Sicily, pasta alla norma is a great dish for our fellow vegetarians! Generally served with rigatoni – the best pasta shape, in my humble opinion – pasta alla norma features a simple fresh tomato sauce and roasted eggplant, topped with parmesan cheese and fresh ribbons of basil. Pasta alla norma is proof that sometimes the simplest dishes are the best.
8. Trofie al Pesto
This dish is a traditional meal from Liguria, a region bordering Monaco. It’s made with trofie pasta which is a unique thin and twisty shape, accompanied by potatoes and green beans and tossed in a classic pesto sauce. If you want to make this at home we recommend making the pesto yourself – it’s a very easy recipe and will result in even fresher tasting pasta. Yum!
9. Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e pepe had its moment on Instagram and TikTok because it’s delicious and honestly really fun to say. But cacio e pepe is more than just a viral moment, it’s creamy and an icon. Cacio e pepe literally just means ‘cheese and pepper’ and that’s what the dish is made of! Parmesan and pepper sprinkled generously on top of spaghetti, with butter to add some lusciousness.
10. Pasta all’arrabbiata
Like cacio e pepe, pasta all’arrabbiata comes from Italy’s lazio region, and this one is spicy. A tomato sauce made with dried red chilli peppers, all cooked with olive oil, creates a dish that really packs a punch. Try it if you want something a little bit different, but make sure you have lots of bread on hand to soak up the heat.
Image source:Contiki
Savoury dishes
Now, Italian cuisine is so much more than just pasta and if you’re travelling through the country and want to try something different, then these are the best Italian foods you should add to your list.
1. Pizza
Duh. Need we say more? Pizza comes from Naples and it’s the Italian it girl alongside pasta and Ferrari. Go with a tomato or cream base, splurge on toppings or keep it simple. It really doesn’t matter because ending your day with a pizza can never go wrong.
2. Risotto
Risotto is the warm and comforting dish that you make on a cold winter’s day, or perhaps on a date where you’ve promised to cook in order to impress them. It’s easy to make, it just requires a lot of patience, and the best thing about risotto is you can put basically anything in it! Though, traditional Risotto Milanese is just rice cooked in stock and white wine, and topped with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese. What more do you really need?
3. Ossobucco
Most cultures around the world have some kind of stew they make. In France it’s Boeuf Bourgignon, in Iceland it’s Kjötsúpa, and in Italy it’s Ossobucco. Made with braised veal shanks and tossed in a brothy soup of white wine and veg, it’s simple and hearty and definitely a perfect family meal.
4. Panzanella
Panzanella is amazing! It’s a salad, but the main ingredient is bread! It comes from Tuscany and when it’s balmy and beautiful outside, that’s when the Panzanella comes out to play.
Chopped lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, cucumber, basil, and olive oil all come together, as well as soaked stale bread. This is kind of a fridge-raid meal, but this paired with cold white wine and the views of Tuscany’s vineyards and rolling hills is just pure heaven. For that reason, it’s one of the best Italian foods hands down.
5. Suppli
Suppli are deep fried balls of rice, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. This dish isn’t all that fancy, and it’s actually considered fast food in Italy – which is extremely rare in a country all about that laid back lifestyle. Suppli is a great ‘on the go’ food, and it’s made up of ooey gooey fried yuminess that you really can’t go wrong with.
6. Fiora di Zucca
Now, if you’ve never had fiora di zucca, you’re in for a treat. This dish is made up of beautiful squash blossoms which are filled with mozzarella or ricotta. The flowers are then dipped in batter and lightly fried, creating the perfect accompaniment to any summertime Italian meal.
7. Caprese salad
As far as salads go, caprese salad is perfect. Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. That’s all you need. This is one of the best Italian foods because of the simplicity, but also because it does a great job representing the colours of the flag! Impressive.
Desserts
Italian desserts are just as good as their mains and really a restaurant meal on holiday is never complete without a little sweet treat.
1. Tiramisu
Ugh, tiramisu! How I love you! It’s on every single dessert menu in Italy and for good reason. Coffee + cream + chocolate = heaven. It doesn’t matter how many times you order it, you can never get sick of it.
2. Panna cotta
Now, panna cotta is an underrated Italian dessert! Made of sweetened cream which is then thickened with gelatin and moulded, panna cotta is sort of like a flan. You can top it with fresh fruit, coulis, mint, anything delicious really, and it makes for a very elegant and refined dessert.
3. Gelato
Well, you know all about gelato, don’t you? It’s the gift of the Roman gods, quite frankly. We don’t need to tell you more about it, just make sure you eat as many cones of gelato as you can while visiting!
Image source:Contiki
4. Affogato
Ice cream with an even more Italian twist! Affogato means to drown, and that’s exactly what’s happening here. Espresso is poured over ice cream – typically vanilla – and then you eat this hot and cold mess with a spoon. It feels very dramatic, but that’s why it’s so good.
5. Torta della Nonna
A simple short-crust pastry filled with indulgent vanilla cream, the torta della nonna is a traditional Tuscan dessert – though of course, each family makes it slightly differently. It’s one of those heritage recipes that has been passed down from generation to generation, making it a truly special dish.
Italy foodie experiences with Contiki
All this talk got you hungry? Same, babe, get me to Italy RIGHT NOW! Here’s a sneak peak of some of the totally mouth-watering foodie experiences you can do with Contiki in Italy.
1. Take a street food tour in Naples
Discover the home of pizza, Naples, and get your fill of flavours on a walking street food tour. Pizza, arancini, Aperols, pastries and more. You can do this on our Ultimate Italy trip.
2. Enjoy a traditional dinner in Rome that actually makes a difference
Dine at Trattoria Gli Amici in Rome where you’ll get to savour authentic Italian dishes. But what makes this restaurant even better is that it’s working to provide job opportunities for people with disabilities, supporting the local community.
Do this on our Simply Italy trip.
Image source:Contiki
3. Eat at the restaurant of second chances in Sicily
Devour some of the best Italian food in Sicily at a beautiful open-air bistro where the food is prepared and served by a cohort of young rehabilitated prisoners. This is Al Fresco Giardino e Bistrot, a cooperative offering second chances and supporting the local community.
Dine here on our Real Sicily trip.
4. Wine tasting in Lucca
If you like wine and want to sample some of the local drink, then this wine tasting tour in beautiful Lucca is the experience for you. Views, a slight buzz, good company, and warm sunshine. Total bliss, right? Do this on our Italian Espresso trip.
5. Tour the iconic Amalfi lemon groves
If you like wine and want to sample some of the local drink, then this wine tasting tour in beautiful Lucca is the experience for you. Views, a slight buzz, good company, and warm sunshine. Total bliss, right? Do this on our Italian Espresso trip.
