We're going to be in Italy next week for the first time and wondered what foods (beside gelato, of course) are a 'must' eat.

IMO, lasagna, antipasto, bruschetta

Where in Italy? Regionality is very important as far as food goes.

pizza, veal, seafood, risotto, bruschetta, and of course, gelato!

We'll be visiting the Amalfi coast, Rome, Tuscany/Florence and Venice.

Frito misto (Amalfi, Venice)... pasta with wild boar sauce (Tuscany). Individual thin crusted pizza in Rome.

Also try a slice of pizza with shredded potatoes on it. Found it at a fast food pizza restaurant in Rome.

Rome - pizza, gelato and granita, Jewish-style artichokes, pasta

Tuscany - bistecca fiorentina, salamis, boar sauces for pasta, porcini

Venice - polenta and all kinds of seafood, fegato alla veneziana (liver and onions but delicious)

Cannoli with fresh ricotta filling. Yum, Yum.

Every bakery has it hidden somewhere. You need to ask for it.

I learned after a few trips that the bakery owners keep fresh ricotta filling in their fridge somewhere inside and the cannoli shells also somewhere hidden.

So, when you ask, they bring it out freshly prepared for you. Believe me you will not be disappointed at all.

I missed it for several days not knowing why I could not see any cannoli at any bakery. But a couple days before leaving I asked one shop where I can get it and he told me he has it inside!!!

Thus, I found everyone seems to have it, so at least try it once and Hope you will love the taste.

Also enjoy variety of Pizzas as they come with wonderful, appetizing toppings and always are so delicious.

Depends on what you enjoy. In Venice Ilove risottos -but you must get in a good place - so i's creamy and not runny.

Any good pasta.

Veal is often excellent.

Artichokes in Rome.

Fish on Amalfi coast.

I don't get eating all this pizza - we have pizza just as good at home - and it's boring since it's ordered somuch.

There is nothing in North America comparable to good pizza al taglio in Rome.

in Rome, try to get a taste of "fiori fritti" - deep-fried courgette [zucchini] flowers, served as a "primo".

in venice - risotto alle seppie [cuttlefish] is one of our faves, but you don't have to mind having black teeth, as it is made with the ink!

gnocchi with walnut sauce on the Ligurian coast
Linguine alle vongole anywhere on any coast
Langoustini
risotto in Venice
black squid ink pasta in Venice
ragú of wild boar in Tuscany
carcioffi in Rome
saltimbocca in Rome


Oh heavens, this is making me want to go back to Italy...

Panna cotta.

Let's see...

Brunello, Sagrantino di Montefalco, Orvieto Classico
Gelato - all flavors
Insalta caprese
Everything else!

Enjoy! You'll still loose weight from all the walking. I always do, good thing.

Oh, Oh!!! Anything with truffles!!!

- Pasta with finely-shaved percorino over it

- Pasta with finely-shaved truffles over it

- Annhig's suggestion of the deep-fried squash flowers--heavenly

- Bresoala Carpaccio

- Focaccia from a local bakery--it may have onions, olives, and/or peppers added into the dough and the exterior is brushed with olive oil and has kosher/coarse salt on it


You SHOULD already know about gelato, granita, bellinis, and wines, LOL!

Buon Viaggio e Buon Appetito,
BC

Cuttlefish and black squid ink pasta?? really??? I don't know if I'm that daring--doesn't sound too appealing to me. What does it taste like? chicken?? ha, ha!!

<<Pasta with finely-shaved percorino over it>>

Is that the caffeinated variety, BC?

Amalfi Coast -- grilled swordfish, sea bass, mullet brushed with lemon and olive oil.

Rome -- artichokes, pasta caccio e pepe, braised baby lamb.

Tuscany -- Pappardelle sulla lepre (hare) or di cinghiale (boar).

Oops, sorry, that's eight.