Surrounded by pampas, fertile farmland, and the strong Italian influence that pervades much of Argentina, Cordoba has a restaurant scene that stresses good fresh products and pride in one's culiary work; what Córdoba's restaurants lack in trendy innovation they make up for with flavor. When Argentines vacation in Córdoba, their friends at home expect just one sample of this flavor in return: a box of alfajores, the national cookie. The alfajores cordobés, the Córdoban variety, have soft dough and come filled with homemade jam or dulce de leche (sort of like caramel) and dipped in a thin white frosting. There are hundreds of local varieties: many vendors will let you sample their goods. Other homemade foods are also high on the list of must-haves: organic honey, jams from every fruit under the sun, cheeses and salamis, and extra-virgin olive oil.