The country of art, culture, history, and entertainment – Italy is one of the most popular vacation destinations for solo female travelers. Though there are hundreds of museums and monumental heritage sites, that’s not all that’s on offer for travelers.
Of course, we’re talking about food! Italian food will blow you away. You simply have not lived until you have tasted hand-pulled, home made Italian pasta, and this post will help you make sure you get the best of the best!
Gourmands, delight! Save this post for your next Italy trip and try all of these dishes for yourself. Here are the top 10 most delicious delicacies in Italy to try!
1. Zuccotto
While any Italian could tell you the recipe by heart, it is extremely difficult to find it on the menu. The best chance you have is to take the train to Florence, where the dish was born, and pay a visit to some local restaurants.
Think of it like advanced gelato – thinly sliced cake is covered with ricotta cheese and candied fruit with almonds to add sweetness. Freeze it up, and you will have the most Italian dessert ever!
2. Filetti di Bacala (pictured above)
A traditional Italian dish yet somehow lost between pizzas and lasagnas, Filetti di Bacala will work for you if you like fish and chips by the English! However, the Italian version is a bit more sophisticated, in a way that it is way less greasy, and while the main event is the friend codfish, they do not serve chips with it.
Usually, it comes with some type of salad to make the dish lighter and a bit healthier. This might come as a surprise for you if the Italian cuisine in your mind is all cheese and flour – yes, they serve fish too! And it is delicious!
3. Limoncello
Limoncello is an absolutely mouthwatering liquor that must end up on your dinner table during your visits. Intense citrusy flavor with a bit of sweetness to balance out the sour will hit your taste buds in the most pleasurable way.
It has to be served cold, though, so do not let it sink too long in the Italian sun. Keep in mind that the best limoncello comes from Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast. Legend has it – the best lemons are from there!
4. Bistecca Fiorentina
If you hope to find all of the best authentic dishes in the capital city, we suggest you rethink it and get on the Rome to Florence train ASAP! You can find some of the rarest yet tastiest dishes exactly here. For example, Bistecca Fiorentina is exactly what it sounds like – a delicious steak born in Florence, yet there is nothing simple about it.
If you are used to heavy marinating and seasoning, well, get ready for something completely opposite. While the Italians add a small pinch of seasoning to the steak or some rosemary, they do not marinate it at all – the authentic flavor comes from the precision slicing of the meat, and it must be cooked on hot coals to make it Fiorentina. We are excited for you to try it!
5. Mozzarella di Bufala
Does not look like much until you hear the story! Basically, there are two types of Mozzarella cheese, Bufala, and Fior di Latte. The latter is a bit softer on your tongue and is usually used on pizza.
Bufala, however, is top-tier cheese that is so good that Italians serve it as a delicacy on its own. They also take it very seriously in Naples, and that is why it is the best place for you to try it.
And here is another shocker for you: Mozzarella di Bufala has been a protected trademark, meaning that, technically, the territory of Naples is where you are allowed to produce it and call it by that name only! Crazy, yet crazy delicious as well.
6. Cow Stomach
Let’s move on to something truly crazy! Lampredotto or the Cow Stomach is quite precisely what it sounds like. And yes, it is a bit extreme – people are known to try it out as a dare or a challenge, but the truth is, this might just be the most delicious thing you have ever tasted, and you will never know if you do not try it.
Don’t worry, though; it looks (and probably is!) a lot more appetizing than it sounds and is usually served as a sandwich or a stew, so really, there will be no problem with how it looks. As for the flavor – you have to try it for yourself.
7. Carciofi Alla Giudia & Alla Romana
Yum! You must try out these servings of Jewish and Roman artichokes! Even though they are grouped together, the styles differ like day and night.
The Jewish ones are heavily seasoned with salt and pepper, then boiled in oil twice – to add the crispiness, and served hot.
The Roman artichokes are served cold even though their cooking is way more elaborate. Firstly they are cooked for approximately 30 minutes, then dipped in lemon juice, garlic, pepper, and mint. Think about which ones sound better to you – though we can say that Jewish almost always wins the race!
8. Veal
A dish dating back to 19th-century Italy, veal is served as a fillet with a slice of prosciutto crudo, which is a very popular uncooked, dry-cured Italian ham.
Even with a sip of white wine and butter, the veal on your plate will not look like much – we have to admit that while mouthwatering and unique, it does not have any external appeal. But don’t be discouraged by that and try all the flavors you can.
9. Deep-Fried Shellfish
Does that sound good to you? Because it does, to us! Imagine crispy, hot, and delicious shellfish, served with wine and a side of bread.
Just be ready for a full plate of tasty seafood, most of it deep-fried and in several different forms! Mind the portions as well – Italians tend to overdo it with the size of plates, so you might as well share so that there is nothing left!
10. Tiramisu
While widely-known and tried in most countries, an Italian tiramisu is different from anything else you have tried before. But, this is the real deal!
The creamy mascarpone, the aftertaste of coffee, and fluffy whipped cream… Finger-licking good! Definitely get tiramisu for a dessert next time you eat out in Italy. Paired with a cup of coffee, it will leave you sweet for a while.
Surprise your taste buds with these delicious meals and new flavors! Just remember one thing – you never know until you try. So, you might as well – who knows what you will end up liking. Buon appetito and good luck!
