Regional Dishes in Italy: It's Not Just Pizza and Pasta

We all think of going to Italy to enjoy "Italian Food". But what's popular in one Region of Italy isn't what's going to be the best dish to order in another. In the states, you wouldn't think of ordering a Philly Cheese Steak in Chicago, or BBQ Ribs St Louis style in Miami, or Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes in California, or a Po' Boy in Boston.  "Italian Food" isn't the same all over Italy, either. Embrace this simple fact and consider ordering Regional specialties when traveling around The Boot. Here's a little guide:

1. In Genoa try the Pesto (it was invented there)
2. Naples invented pizza, especially the Pizza Margherita
3. Try the Bolognese sauce and filled pastas (ravioli, tortellini, lasagna) in Bologna
4. Risotto alla Milanese and Ossobucco in Milano
5. In Rome try their Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Spaghetti all'Amatriciana and lamb
6. In the Northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto try Gnocchi, Bresaola, Polenta and tiramisù
7. Prosciutto di Parma is best in central and northern Italy
8. In Puglia have the Altamura bread and the Orecchiette (little ears) pasta
9. In Abruzzo, you should try Crespelle, savory Italian crepes
10. In Basilicata, the Minestra Maritata is a soup with both meat and vegetables
11. In Calabria try their Pitta bread--a type of flatbread stuffed with peppers, tomatoes and herbs
12. In the Marche, try Porchetta, a spit-roasted pig that has been stuffed with herbs.
13. In Sicily, try the Cuscus, Arancini (rice balls) or Bottarga (dried fish roe)
14. In Sardinia, have some of their Pasta with Lobster or Bottarga
15. In Tuscany you have to try the Wild Boar Stew
    

So, you see, the variety of "Italian Food" is what's great about touring Italy. You will never tire of just pasta and pizza. Italian cuisine is a lot more than that...

--Jerry Finzi



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