MUST TRY ITALIAN FOOD When You Go to Italy Winter Time! Planning your trip to Italy? Eat Like Local!

Let me tell you about 11 main things Italians eat and drink in the winter and what you absolutely must try going to Italy winter time!

And of course, what traditional Christmas Italian food must be in your ‘must try’ list if you are visiting Italy in December.

⏱️⏱️⏱️ TIME CODES
00:00 Welcome to Italy 🇮🇹 Winter Time
02:10 1️⃣ POLENTA
02:40 2️⃣ CANEDERLI
03:19 3️⃣ Carciofi alla Giudia
04:23 4️⃣ RISOTTO
05:15 5️⃣ PASTA IN BRODO
05:49 6️⃣ CASSOEULA
06:37 7️⃣ BLACK WINTER TRUFFLES
07:08 8️⃣ RIBOLLITA
07:34 9️⃣ VIN BRULÈ
07:57 🔟 CIOCCOLATA CALDA
09:12 1️⃣1️⃣ ARANCE

In Italy, eating seasonally is a way of life. It’s also one of the secrets to Italian cuisine. After all, when you eat seasonally, it means you’re eating ingredients when they are fresh and at the height of their flavor!

So what do Italians eat in the winter? While you won’t find any fresh tomato bruschetta, you can definitely try many other .. winter .. delicious dishes.

1️⃣ POLENTA

A staple of northern Italy, polenta is made of ground cornmeal.

Polenta is a staple on any baita, or ski lodge, menu as well – the perfect stick-to-your-ribs meal after a long day on the slopes.

2️⃣ CANEDERLI

These toothsome bread dumplings are a popular first course in Trentino Alto-Adige, a region found in northeast Italy. They are made by soaking bread in fresh milk, then mixing it together with eggs, local cheese, and sometimes speck, a half-smoked half-cured ham.

The mixture is then rolled into ping pong-sized balls and served with melted butter or broth. Get a taste of these comforting dumplings when you go skiing in the Italian Alps Dolomiti – they are super popular dish to serve there

3️⃣ Carciofi alla giudia – I had to put this one first I guess ..

Carciofi alla giudia is literally “Jewish-style artichokes”) is among the best-known dishes of Roman Jewish cuisine. The recipe is essentially a deep-fried artichoke, and originated in the Jewish community of Rome
Absolutely must and the first thing to try when you go to Rome winter time. Especially if you try it in one of the restaurants in Roman Ghetto

4️⃣ RISOTTO

There’s nothing quite like a steaming pot of risotto to warm up your kitchen on a cold winter’s day! There are three basic ingredients to risotto: rich broth, short-grain Italian rice (which has a higher starch content then long-rain rice),  and a splash of dry wine.

5️⃣ PASTA IN BRODO

In Emilia-Romagna, tortellini in brodo, tiny pork and cheese-stuffed parcels, are king, while in Piemonte, the veal-stuffed agnolotti del plin are served in a rich Parmigiano broth. Sometimes the broth is made from boiled meats, which are then chopped up and stuffed into the pasta in order to avoid waste.

6️⃣ CASSOEULA

A specialty from Italy’s northern Lombardia, this elaborate dish consists of savoy cabbage and various types of pork. Legend has it that St. Anthony Abbot, the founder of Christian monasticism who was known as the protector of domestic animals, declared January 17 as the last day to slaughter pigs.

Nowadays, it’s tradition to enjoy cassoeula – usually with polenta and a glass of red wine

7️⃣ BLACK WINTER TRUFFLES

Found and foraged in the hills of Umbria, black winter truffles grow wild near the roots of hazelnut and oak trees. Only in season for a few months a year, this variety of truffle is known for its earthy, robust flavor. In Umbria, this truffle is typically enjoyed as part of salsa alla spoletina, made with minced truffle, olive oil, garlic, and salt and served with silky egg tagliatelle

8️⃣ RIBOLLITA

A classic dish of Toscana, ribollita is a hearty winter vegetable soup. It’s the perfect example of cucina povera – poor cooking – as it’s chock-full of winter vegetables like kale, potatoes, and carrots and thickened by leftover day-old bread

9️⃣ VIN BRULÈ

Vin Brulè is Italy’s version of mulled wine. Made by infusing a fruity red wine with spices like anise, cloves, and cinnamon and citrus zest, Vin Brulè is often served at Christmas markets in November and December – although I think it’s great all winter long!

🔟 CIOCCOLATA CALDA

Unlike American hot chocolate which usually contains more milk than cocoa, Italian hot chocolate, known as cioccolata calda, has more cocoa than milk giving it a dense, thick consistency. Swoon. It can be enjoyed on its own or topped with whipped cream.

1️⃣1️⃣ ARANCE

Did you know that oranges are one of Italy’s greatest fruits? Grown predominantly in Sicilia, blood oranges known as Conca d’Oro, are at their peak in January and February.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

🆓 DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION ABOUT TRAVEL TO NORWAY, living in Norway or travel in general?
Send me a message, I’ll be happy to help 🤗

Stay in touch! Stay safe! Be happy!

#firsttimeinrome #firsttimeinitaly #traveltoitaly2023