Italy’s Must-Eat Foods: 12 Delicacies Not to Be Missed!

Gorgeous Italy draws travellers keen on exploring her stunning scenery, unique culture and gastronomical delights.

A multitude of Italian delicacies, sweet and savoury, await your discovery during your sojourns in the country. Be sure to leave ample space in your stomach to tuck into these twelve must-try dishes in Italy:  

1. Arancini

Crisp and golden-brown, arancini refers to a dish of stuffed rice balls. The rice balls are fried after being coated in a dusting of  crunchy breadcrumbs.

These rice balls are usually filled with ragù, tomato sauce, mozzarella and peas. Similar to pasta and pizza dishes in Italy, there are a diversity of regional variations of the arancini. The regional specialties are made with different fillings and shapes depending on the location that the dish is prepared in. Some examples include the arancini con ragù (containing tomato sauce, rice and mozzarella), arancini con burro (made with creamy béchamel sauce), arancini con funghi and arancini con melanzane.

2. Coffee

Need a perk-me-up to start off your day?

Make your way down to one of the cosy cafes lining the street, and order yourself an aromatic cup of caffè. Do not expect to be served the usual Americano, for the default cup of coffee in Italy is a shot of espresso. Strong and rich, the Italian espresso packs a punch, and will definitely provide you with a much-needed jolt of energy.

Be sure to down your coffee like a true-blue Italian by abiding by these five coffee commandments!

3. Lasagne

Believed to originate from the city of Naples, this well-loved dish is made by baking sheets of lasagne pasta layered with cheese, meat, vegetables and different varieties of sauces, such as the ragù, bechamel or tomato sauce.

4. Osso buco alla Milanese

Meat lovers will rejoice at the thought of tucking into the osso buco alla Milanese!

Tender veal shanks, braised slowly in white wine, is served with an array of vegetables. A serving of aromatic gremolata, a condiment made with lemon zest, garlic and parsley, is added to complete the dish.

The meal does not end when you have finished the meat and vegetables, for the best part of the dish lies in scooping out and savouring the creamy marrow from the bones of the veal.

5. Pasta

One should not miss out on feasting on pasta, the Italian staple dish during their vacation.

Be sure to try the regional specialties in the cities that you are visiting. If you are exploring beautiful Rome, order a serving of the pasta alla carbonara, prepared with ingredients such as eggs, Pecorino cheese, guanciale (a type of Italian cured meat made from pork cheeks) and black pepper.

A must-try dish in lovely Bologna is the pasta al ragù, a pasta dish cooked in a meat-based sauce. In Genoa, be sure to sample the pasta al pesto, prepared from a selection of ingredients such as crushed garlic, basil, pine nuts, olive oil and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

6. Pizza Margherita

Originating from Naples, the pizza margherita is a simple but tasty dish. Order this popular item from the local pizzeria, and you can expect to be served with a crispy, thin-crust pizza topped with olive oil, garlic, basil, tomatoes, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

7. Prosciutto

An Italian favourite, prosciutto refers to dry-cured ham, served uncooked and cut in thin slices. The finest and priciest prosciutto originates from the central and northern regions of Italy.

Light, savoury and airy, the cured meat is usually served with pasta, or wrapped around slices of cheese or sweet melons.

8. Ribollita

Traditionally considered as cucina povera, or poor man’s food, the ribollita was created by servants who collected unfinished food, such as bread and vegetables, from their masters before boiling these items in water to make a meal. The origin of this dish gives rise to its name, which translates to mean ‘reboiled’ in English.

Rich and hearty, the ribollita is regarded as one of Tuscany’s most important dishes.

9. Saltimbocca

The dish contains thin slices of veal, topped with salty prosciutto and herb leaves. These ingredients, joined together with a toothpick, are sautéed in a pan until the meat is done. Different varieties of meat, such as chicken and mutton are also used for preparing the saltimbocca.

A well-made serving of saltimbocca promises to be a delectable dish melts away in the mouth.  Highly popular among locals and travellers in Italy, this savoury delight is certainly not to be missed!

Desserts: Balance the salty flavours with a series of sweet treats!

10. Gelato

A visit to Italy is not complete without having at least a serving of smooth, creamy gelato. Travellers who are on the hunt for the best versions of this delightful treat should check this article out for insights on where to find the best gelato in Italy!

11. Torrone

Creamy and sticky, the Torrone is made with ingredients such as honey, egg whites, toasted nuts and citrus zest. Thick slabs of this candy are commonly found in cafes and candy stores throughout Italy.  

We recommend that you try the original version, as it is hard to beat. Those with a preference for decadent treats may want to try a new variety - torrone dipped in rich chocolate!

12. Tiramisu

Light and creamy, the tiramisu is a well-known dessert sought-after by locals and travellers alike. Ingredients such as ladyfingers, coffee, eggs, sugar, cocoa and mascarpone cheese required in the preparation of this sweet treat.

Creative dessert-makers have given an innovative twist to the traditional recipe of the tiramisu, coming up with varieties such as the fruit tiramisu, chocolate tiramisu, and the intriguing-sounding ch’tiramisu.

Savour these dishes (and more!) with our BonAppetour Hosts in Italy!

Image Credits: Chow.com, Manuel Cafe, Finedining Lovers, Il Gusto Italiano, Turismo, Gallery Hip, Pagina Food, Grayline