Of everywhere I travel there is one area that stands out to me as my absolute favorite and I find myself planning vacations there more often than elsewhere. I am speaking of course about the countries that make up a good portion of the Northern coastline of the Mediterranean sea; in particular Italy, Greece, and Turkiye. Having just returned from a fantastic stay on the Amalfi coast of Italy, I decided to write a couple of posts about some of the things I love about the country.
First and foremost is the food. I revel in the fact that while there we can always find amazing food to eat, no matter the diner's preferences. Italy is a country much loved for its rich culinary heritage and offers a diverse and vibrant range of dishes that vary significantly from one region to another. Each region boasts its own unique flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques, making Italian cuisine a delightful journey for anyone who likes to eat! I thought to put together a post about each region and include a dish or two that they are best known for.
First a Little History...
The concept of "regions" as administrative and political entities in Italy is relatively modern, and were officially established as administrative divisions with the Italian Constitution, which was enacted on January 1, 1948. However, regional governments only became operational starting in the 1970s. Therefore, no single region can be considered the "first" in terms of modern administrative divisions.
That being said, if one were to consider historical significance and ancient civilizations, one of the earliest and most influential regions would be Latium (Lazio), where Rome is located. Rome, founded according to tradition in 753 BCE, became the heart of the Roman Kingdom, Republic, and later the Roman Empire, which profoundly influenced the development of Italy and the Western world.
Now, Let's Explore the Regions, A to V
Abruzzo: Nestled between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic Sea, Abruzzo is known for its diverse landscape of mountains and beaches and for its preserved medieval and Renaissance hill towns.
Must-See Sites: Gran Sasso National Park, Rocca Calascio fortress, and the Abruzzo National Park.
Dish: Arrosticini, skewers of lamb grilled over an open flame.
Beverage: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - A robust red wine made from the Montepulciano grape.
Aosta Valley (Valle d'Aosta): Italy's smallest region, located in the Alps, is well known for its ski resorts and medieval castles. In this region you can find a Roman stronghold, featuring ancient ruins and castles.
Must-See Sites: Mont Blanc, Fort Bard, and the Roman Theatre in Aosta.
Dish: Fonduta, a rich cheese fondue made with local Fontina cheese.
Beverage: Genepy - A herbal liqueur made from Alpine herbs.
Apulia (Puglia): Located in the southeastern part of Italy, known for its whitewashed hill towns and Mediterranean coastline. Apulia has been influenced over time by Greek, Roman, and Norman cultures.
Must-See Sites: Alberobello’s Trulli houses, Castel del Monte, and the Gargano National Park.
Dish: Orecchiette alle cime di rapa, pasta with turnip tops, garlic, and anchovies.
Beverage: Primitivo di Manduria - A full-bodied red wine made from the Primitivo grape.
An aside: Primitivo, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Barbera and Nero d'Avola? Are you kidding me with these grapes? OMG, Italy has some of the best wine grapes in the world.
Basilicata: A mountainous region in southern Italy, known for its rugged terrain and ancient towns. In this region you can also find the cave dwellings of Matera.
Must-See Sites: Sassi di Matera, Pollino National Park, and Metaponto archaeological site.
Dish: Lucanica sausage, a traditional spiced pork sausage.
Beverage: Aglianico del Vulture - A red wine made from the Aglianico grape, grown on the slopes of an extinct volcano. Speaking of volcanos, Mt. Vesuvius in Campania has some pretty fantastic wines as well. I found a bottle of wine in a small grocers in Massa Lubrense that cost about 6 Euro and it was absolutely fabulous. I think I need to live in Italy...
Calabria: Located at the "toe" of Italy's boot, famous for its beautiful coastline and spicy cuisine. Known for its Greek colonies and Norman castles.
Must-See Sites: The Riace Bronzes, Scilla, and the Aspromonte National Park.
Dish: 'Nduja, a spicy, spreadable pork sausage., a spicy, spreadable pork sausage.
Beverage: Cirò - A red wine made from the Gaglioppo grape, one of the oldest wines in Italy.
Campania: Home to Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, it is renowned for its historic sites and cuisine. Famous for its Roman ruins, Pompeii and Herculaneum, and as the birthplace of pizza.
Must-See Sites: Pompeii, Capri, Ravello, Positano and Naples’ historic center.
Dish: Pizza Margherita of course! This classic Neapolitan pizza is made with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. The story behind the pizza is nothing short of legend. It is reportedly named in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy, the queen consort of Italy. The story goes that in 1889, during a visit to Naples, Queen Margherita and King Umberto I were presented with a pizza by a local pizzaiolo (a.k.a. pizza chef) named Raffaele Esposito. He had created a pizza that represented the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomato sauce), white (mozzarella cheese), and green (basil). He named it "Pizza Margherita" after the queen, who apparently enjoyed it very much. Well, of course she did, it is a simple and elegant masterpiece.
Beverage: Limoncello - A sweet lemon liqueur traditionally made from the omnipresent lemons of the Amalfi Coast. I personally find it akin to cough syrup but I do not have much of a sweet tooth so it is not to my taste as such.
An aside: Lemons are prevalent in ceramics, glassware, clothing, candy, and liqueurs throughout the Amalfi coast. If you are looking for a refreshing non-alcoholic way to beat the heat go for a lemon slush or a lemon sorbet which are found literally EVERYWHERE there.
Emilia-Romagna: Known for its medieval cities, rich gastronomy, and of course the automotive industry ( Hello Ferrari and Lamborghini!).
Must-See Sites: Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore, Ferrara, and the Ravenna mosaics.
Dish: Tagliatelle al ragù, pasta with a rich meat sauce (Bolognese).
Beverage: Lambrusco - A sparkling red wine that can be dry or sweet.
Friuli Venezia Giulia: A northeastern region with influences from Italy, Austria, and Slovenia, known for its mountains and coastal cities.
Must-See Sites: Trieste’s Miramare Castle, Aquileia, and the Dolomites.
Dish: Frico, a cheese and potato pancake.
Beverage: Friulano - A white wine formerly known as Tocai Friulano, made from the Friulano grape.
Lazio:The region surrounding Rome, known for its ancient history and cultural heritage it represents the heart of the Roman Empire and is home to the Vatican City.
Must-See Sites: Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.
Dish: Spaghetti alla Carbonara, pasta with eggs, pecorino cheese, pancetta, and pepper. While I do love this dish, I would be remiss if I did not also include my absolute favorite pasta dish which would be Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe (cheese and pepper) - a very simple pasta dish that uses only olive oil, black pepper, and Pecorino Romano cheese (or often a mix of Pecorino and Parmesan).
Beverage: Frascati - A dry white wine made from Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes, typical of the Roman hills.
Liguria: A coastal region in northwestern Italy, known for its picturesque villages and maritime heritage. It was a vital maritime republic in the Middle Ages and is today recognized as the Italian Riviera.
Must-See Sites: Cinque Terre, Genoa’s historic center, and Portofino.
Dish: Pesto alla Genovese - a basil, garlic, pine nut, and Parmesan cheese sauce. Ok, is this not one of the world's best sauces? I simply adore Gnocchi in a light Pesto alla Genovese.
Beverage: Sciacchetrà - A rare sweet wine made from dried grapes, primarily in the Cinque Terre.
Lombardy: A wealthy northern region, home to Milan, a city best known for its fashion and finance industries. Lombardy was and is still an economic powerhouse and cultural hub.
Must-See Sites: Milan’s Duomo, Celebrity favorite Lake Como (Hi there George C., Brad P., Richard B., and Madonna!), and the city of Bergamo.
Dish: Risotto alla Milanese, creamy risotto flavored with saffron.
Beverage: Franciacorta - A high-quality sparkling wine made in the traditional method, similar to Champagne, but don't you dare tell the French that.
Marche: Located on the Adriatic coast, known for its rolling hills and Renaissance architecture throughout the many historic hill towns.
Must-See Sites: Urbino, Ascoli Piceno, and the Frasassi Caves.
Dish: Olive all’ascolana, stuffed and fried olives.
Beverage: Verdicchio - A white wine made from the Verdicchio grape, known for its crisp acidity.
Molise: A small and less-known region, characterized by its mountainous terrain and rural villages. It was the last region to be created (January 19, 1964), and is known for its archaeological sites.
Must-See Sites: Termoli, the Romanesque churches, and the Matese Mountains.
Dish: Cavatelli, a type of handmade pasta often served with a rich meat sauce.
Beverage: Tintilia del Molise - A red wine made from the native Tintilia grape.
Piedmont (Piemonte): A region in the foothills of the Alps, known for its wines, truffles, and chocolates (especially its traditional, ingot-shaped chocolate called gianduiotto). This region was also the birthplace of the Italian unification movement.
Must-See Sites: Turin ( or Torino, site of the 2006 Winter Olympics), the Sacra di San Michele, and the Langhe wine region.
Dish: Bagna Cauda, a warm dip made with garlic, anchovies, olive oil, and butter.
Beverage: Barolo - A powerful and complex red wine made from the Nebbiolo grape, often called the "King of Wines." When I lived in New York, I regularly went to an Italian cafe called Caffe Latte whose owner, Basilio Colaizzi, always had a glass of Barolo wine on the go and would periodically share a tipple with you. It was through him that I learned of this grape and wine. To me, it is the one wine to rule them all. For those LOTR fans...
Ash Gavik durbatulûk,
ash Gavik gimbatul,
Ash Gavik thrakatulûk
agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
Sardinia (Sardegna): An island region with a unique culture and lovely beaches.
Sardinia is known for its unique Nuragic civilization and coastal beauty.
Must-See Sites: Costa Smeralda, Su Nuraxi di Barumini, and Cagliari.
Dish: Porceddu, roasted suckling pig.
Beverage: Mirto - A liqueur made from the berries of the myrtle plant.
Sicily (Sicilia): The largest Mediterranean island, known for its rich history, architecture, and diverse cuisine. Sicily is a virtual melting pot of cultures including Greek, Roman, and Arab and the food found there is influenced by this historical interaction of cultures.
Must-See Sites: Valley of the Temples, Mount Etna, and Palermo.
Dish: Arancini, fried rice balls stuffed with meat, cheese, and peas. This is an amazing street food prevalent in Sicily. It is found all throughout Italy of course and with many variations but Sicily is its home town so to speak.
Beverage: Marsala - A fortified wine produced in the region surrounding the town of Marsala.
Tuscany (Toscana): Obviously most well known for its wines (Chianti Rufina anyone?) the region is also famous for its landscapes, artistic heritage, and influence on high culture it is considered to be the cradle of the Renaissance.
Must-See Sites: Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, Pisa’s Leaning Tower, and my favorite walled town, Siena - famous for its Palio di Siena which is a horse race that takes place through its streets bringing great honour to the one of 17 Contrade of Siena that wins. While in Florence you have to climb the famous Il Duomo and take in a visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze to view Michelangelo's David.
Dish: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a large T-bone or Porterhouse steak typically from Chianina cattle (an ancient Tuscan breed known for its prized and sumptuous meat) seasoned with local spices (rosemary and sage usually) and grilled over red-hot coals. Best eaten rare. Seriously, if you don't want to be on the receiving end of an appalled look never ask for well done! Even asking for medium rare may raise an eyebrow or two.
Beverage: Wash down your meal with the Sangiovese-based Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is made near the hill town of Montepulciano, a beautiful mountain-top town that I have visited. Truly a divine wine for an amazing location!
Trentino-Alto Adige: A northern region with a mix of Italian and Austrian influences, known for its mountains and ski resorts.
Must-See Sites: Dolomites, Bolzano, and the medieval town of Trento.
Dish: Canederli, bread dumplings often served in broth.
Beverage: Grappa - A strong spirit made from grape pomace, often produced in the mountainous areas. I've had this a few times and wow, it is um... herbally interesting. Think Jagermeisterr but with more Jager?
Umbria: Known as the "green heart of Italy," it is famous for its medieval towns and lush landscapes.
Must-See Sites: Assisi, Perugia, and the Marmore Falls.
Dish: Tartufo Nero, or black truffle, which is often shaved over pasta or eggs.
Beverage: Sagrantino di Montefalco - A red wine made from the Sagrantino grape, known for its tannic structure. You may have noticed that a lot of the local bevvies on this list are wine. Yeah, no kidding, Old world wine and all. Not OLD like ancient wine production in Georgia from c. 6000 BC (the earliest known traces of grape wine) but Old world like the expansion of sciences such as Viticulture and Oenology in Europe that evolved during the Roman Empire.
Veneto: Home to the Venetian Republic (Venice), this northeastern region is known for its canals, art, and cuisine.
Must-See Sites: Venice’s Grand Canal, Verona’s Arena, and the Dolomites.
Dish: Risi e Bisi, a creamy rice and pea dish similar to risotto.
Beverage: If you are looking for a classic beverage to sip while dining go for the iconic Aperol Spritz which has its origins in the Veneto region. The foundation of this delectable cocktail is Aperol from Padua, with Veneto’s adored Prosecco and chilled soda with a garnish of orange. It truly is a perfectly light and refreshing cocktail for those hot Italian evenings.
Summary
So there you have it. A brief whirlwind tour of Italy's best dishes. There are so many more to discover and I aim to find them all! I hope this post has inspired you to visit and indulge in the amazing tastes you will find there. I have been getting hungrier by the second as I write this blog, TBH. I've only been back a week and I already miss the cuisine so much. Time to make some Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe I think...
Buon appetito!
Il Digestivo
Craving some Italian coffee but can't afford the trip to Italy? Try out the Bialetti Moka Express: Iconic Stovetop Espresso Maker. Pair it with the hand held milk frother and enjoy a simple cappuccino at home. This has become my Sunday morning ritual!
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