As Italy prepares to host the Winter Olympics in the Dolomites, I traveled to Trentino to document how some of its most traditional foods are made. In this episode, I visit Rifugio Crucolo, a historic alpine hut in the Dolomites, located in an area shaped for centuries by the exchange between Italian and Austrian cultures, and explore how that history is reflected in the local cuisine.
Catch up on episode one here:
Some travel and access for this trip were provided with the support of Dolomita, who assisted with local outreach and research.
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00:00 Welcome to Rifugio Crucolo, one of Trentino’s oldest alpine huts
01:23 The Austrian influence on cuisine in the Dolomites
02:28 Visiting the underground cellars and tasting traditional cold cuts
04:17 Giant salami (42 metres) and giant cheese (450 kg)
05:05 Tasting Crucolo’s washed-rind cheeses
07:50 Wines from the 1970s, collected by Danilo’s father
09:33 A glimpse into the kitchen: stews, soups, canederli, polenta
11:14 Tasting traditional Alpine dishes from Trentino
14:10 Crucolo’s iconic digestivo: Parampampoli, served over a hot flame
15:45 Stay tuned for Road to the Winter Olympics, Ep. 3: Trentino’s Grana cheese (an Alpine Parmesan?)
This video is a food documentary part of my traditional food stories series. Subscribe to my channel if you love food and travel
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I’m a journalist and producer with over 10 years of experience covering traditional dishes, food culture, and culinary craftsmanship. Originally from Bari, Italy, and now in London, I’ve built my career exploring how food reflects the identity of people and places. On this channel, I document iconic foods, meet local producers and artisans, and explore the relationship between land, culture, and cuisine. Previously, my work featured on Business Insider’s Regional Eats, So Expensive, and Food Tours.
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34 Comments
I grew in a town of Italian migrants and you could smell the delis a block before you reached their doors. All types of meats,cheeses and pastas. Everything Italian. It's changed a lot but two of the delis are still there and still the same. When my brother and I visit we go first to the deli. Panini,cheese and freshly made cacciatore is the first priority. Then we visit people.
Show us how the cheese is made! Give the people what they want!!
The stew caught my eye. The colour, texture, everything. Is a recipe possible to share?
Südtirol
After a full day of skiing, I could imagine everything you presented being very much the perfect meal, especially if it was enjoyed among family and friends!
Would be awesome to see the crucolo process from the start – bless you!
el crucolo le el crucolo saluti da nyc
Claudia is one of the very coolest ppl and has a fun job i bet!!!
Wow, Trentino food is a bit different than the typical Italian food people think of. The area looks really nice too and the people are nice. Would love to go there some day.
Lovely video- what an array of dishes! A fine combination of mountain rustic and refined notes – the cheese the cured meats . Stew looks amazing 🙂 Good to see you served the full menu!
My italian course with food knowledge right here, soon you'll have 1M subs here, Claudia, your content is so fkn good
Austria is Italian switzerland
This güya knows what he is doing there! Thanks
What an intro! I'm not even one minute in and I'm drooling
4:58 #goalz 2027 🙏
11:06 now that's a grill!
Older than Italy!? The reunification of Italy (since the fall of Rome) is a thing.
Grappa and coffe is not new, have been in the Trentino Associations of Argentina for decades. I remember to participate in the elaboration of most of the food along the year to have it all fermented, aged and/or dried for the celebration of Maddonna d'Agost celebration.
At least one that know that we were once Austrian. Speck!!! Luganega!! Two Guinness world records!! Nice. Interesting I know cruc as the a sord for bread in Croatian. As an insult, crucco, to insult German speakers in south tirol and my self. Chees?? Want to try it!!!! Canerdli ?? KNÖDEL , BITTE. Strangolapreti! Questo rifugio conoscere di sapere la buono cucina!!!! Non vendor l' ora di ande a magna!!!
Scusate er talian lo so per sbaglio damme canederli tutti i di!,,,.
I have never seen an Italian pray before they eat but boy do they like to eat. Por que?
😍
Everything looked very good. I was particularly interested in the green gnocchi dish or green meetball? I'm not sure.
Yes. We would love to see how the cheese is made.
I love the German influence 😊
Marchetta pubblicitaria, niente di che 👎
Oh we totally have to see how this cheese is made. 2027 Goals 😊
Let's see the cheese!
E chissenefrega
this 'road to the olypmics' is a fantastic series Claudia!
looking forward to what comes next.
fan from Canada
Grazie per avermi portato a casa..
ORGASMIC ALL THE WAY!!!
Storing wines vertically can ruin them!!
You should email him immediately and tell him to lay them on their side.
Claudia you are the sweetest and most elegant lady on the interwebs. I wish I could say that in Italian. Ciao bella