Italy is a country with a reputation for wonderful food – and it is well deserved, Italian food and recipes are now an integral part of the diet of millions of people world-wide, and Italian cuisine has certainly spread its considerable influence around the world.
For Italians any meal is a grand occasion, so to compose any list of the Top 10 most delicious foods in Italy is always going to be not only subjective – since it is based on the writer’s own preferences – but also very controversial, since there will always be those that disagree or can offer a ‘better’ alternative. Therefore in composing this Top 10 most delicious foods in Italy list, we have tried to present a combination of classic, traditional and well-known Italian fare and also some less well-known but equally delectable Italian dishes that leave the taste buds simply begging for more.
10. Caprese Salad
flickr/bhamsandwich
This classic Italian salad is easy to make, yet tastes delicious. Plump tomatoes combined with the finest Italian Mozzarella cheese are sliced and alternated on a platter. Then pungent basil is torn up into small pieces scattered over the cheese and tomatoes and then to finish extra virgin olive oil is drizzled over all. The perfect starter for our top ten list.
9. Slow Roasted Garlic and Tomato Bruschetta
flickr/William O'Donnell
This tasty starter comprises of cherry tomatoes and garlic which are slowly roasted for about 2 hours to bring out the natural juices and sweetness of the tomatoes, then placed atop an Italian baguette, sprinkled with virgin olive oil and chopped basil to garnish, then toasted. Mouth-watering and well worth the preparation time.
8. Minestrone Soup
flickr/Full Fork Ahead
As hearty warming soups go, there are few better than this classic. Basically this soup comprises a broth – either vegetable or chicken – depending on your preference – combined with whatever fresh vegetables are in season – beans, mushrooms, carrots, lentils and turnips to name but a few and with the addition of pasta – usually shell-shaped Conchigliette.
Interestingly minestrone soup, which has been in existence in Italy since before the rise of the Roman Empire, has no set recipe as such since it was always made by utilizing left-over’s from over dishes. However, like such dishes often have a tendency to do – it has an endearing place no doubt – in the hearts of many Italians.
7. Spaghetti Bolognese
flickr/JaBB
Talk Italian food and chances are the words ‘Spaghetti Bolognese’ is likely to spring from someone’s lips. This classic Italian dish is loved the world over and has probably been the main course of more romantic dinners throughout the globe than one can imagine. Who hasn’t enjoyed the sensation of slurping up a long piece of spaghetti, lovingly smothered in thick and wonderful tasting Bolognese sauce?
The sauce of course is made up of tomato purée, chopped tomatoes combined with finely chopped onions and basil, garlic, cracked black pepper, good quality shiraz wine, green peppers, crushed chillies, olive oil, oregano, basil and thyme, which when left to simmer and bubble away, all infuse to create a classic sauce. For the meat lovers amongst us, freshly ground and browned beef would also be added to create a mouth-watering topping for a large pile of spaghetti. Add fresh Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese and a sprig of basil and there you have it – La Dolce Vita!
6. Zabaglione
flickr/Iryna (SF Bay)
Zabaglione is made by whisking eggs, sugar, Marsala wine, lemon peel, cinnamon, vanilla extract and heavy whipped cream all together over a pan of simmering water until the mixture thickens and lightens in appearance. Depending on the time of year and your preference, Zabaglione can be eaten warm with Biscotti, or left to chill and take on the consistency of a mousse. Accompanied by fresh fruits such as strawberries or raspberries this is surely the perfect way to end an Italian meal on a warm summer’s day. Buon appetito!
5. Linguine with Shrimp
flickr/TheCreativeD00m
Since fresh pasta is an Italian staple food, it is only fitting that this Italian seafood dish be on our list. Freshly made Linguine with freshly caught and cooked shrimp is complemented by adding fresh spinach leaves and sliced zucchini, then briefly cooked in a light yet zesty lemon sauce. Add a dash of salt and pepper and there you have it – easy yet absolutely mouth-watering!
4. Tiramisu
flickr/Munch n' Crunch
This Italian dessert is another dish which has found popularity everywhere. Raw eggs combined with sugar are beaten into creamy mascarpone cheese along with cooled espresso coffee and then poured over sponge ‘ladyfingers’ which have been soaked in a mixture of espresso coffee and strong rum. Then another layer of sponge is added before being covered by yet more of the creamy mixture. Leave to refrigerate for at least a couple of hours and then serve with chocolate shavings sprinkled on top. Mama Mia!
3. Lasagna
flickr/jeffreyw
Another Italian favourite which has spread into the kitchens of the world, this warm and filling dish, consists of layers of fresh pasta smothered with either ground beef and pork or sliced aubergine (for a vegetarian alternative) cosseted by a rich creamy sauce consisting of either Béchamel or Ricotta cheese (usually one or the other – not both) and with melted shredded Mozzarella and sprinkled Parmesan cheese infused with garlic, finely chopped onions, tomato sauce and tomato paste. Other ingredients in this enduring classic are eggs (in the sauce), black pepper, salt and sugar plus Italian herbs. Delizioso!
2. Gelato
flickr/Lucie Veilleux
Italians have long been the masters of what we in the rest of the world would simply call ice-cream – yet Gelato (which means frozen) does actually differ from the ice cream we know. Gelato contains less air and less butterfat than traditional ice-cream and is made from all natural ingredients. Visit any Italian town in the height of summer and chances are the busiest shop around will be the Gelateria. With flavours such as Hazelnut, Cherry, Chocolate, Coffee, Strawberry, Peach, Vanilla, Lemon, Mint, Banana, Custard, Pistachio, Coconut and Cinnamon to name but a small selection, is it any wonder why?
1. Pizza
flickr/Matt Harris
The word Pizza has become synonymous with Italy, yet Pizza as a flat doughy round bread actually has its origins in early Greece where it was topped with olive oil and spices and potatoes amongst other things. However by the 18th century flat round breads called Pizza’s had made their way to Italy. These breads were cheap and easy to make yet tasty and filling and so were sold by street vendors in Naples.
Eventually these breads caught the eye of Queen Margherita who sampled one and loved its taste – however it was considered unseemly for her to dine on a bread that was considered ‘peasant’s food’. To overcome this, the Queen ordered a chef to bake for her a series of Pizza’s. To celebrate this royal request the chef baked one Pizza with a topping consisting of tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese and fresh basil to represent the Italian flag (which is red, white and green). Thus the Pizza Margherita was born and to this day – along with as many Pizza variations as your taste buds can possibly imagine – it has been a firm favourite.
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