Traditional Lombardy Cuisine: 5 Dishes You Need To Try
Everybody loves a bit of hearty Italian food, right? Italian cuisine is loved all over the world and we cannot blame anybody for being a fan. Here at Miramonti, food has a huge spot in our hearts (as it does with all Italians). Our Restaurant gives us the power to provide happiness and bring people together. We are sure you are all aware of many traditional Italian dishes. Today we are not here to talk about Spaghetti Bolognese or Lasagne. Each region of Italy has their own specialities. So, today you are going to find out 5 traditional dishes of Lombardy that you need to try!
Source: La Cucina Italiana.
Pizzoccheri
Dating all the way back to back to the XVI century, Pizzoccheri is a dish local to Valtellina. What can you expect from this tasty first course tradition? It consists of a shorter, thicker type of tagliatelle. The pasta is made with buckwheat flour, giving it a richer consistency. It certainly has its own defined taste. Some ancient work reveals that the famous cook Meluzza Comasca originally seasoned the dish with butter, garlic, cheese and vegetables. Although, since there have been some modifications. But you can still see the maintenance of using these ingredients to add some flavour to the dish. This is one of the traditional dishes that you can find on the menu of our Albergo Miramonti Restaurant. See what you think of this dish during your stay with us.
Source: Carolines Cooking.
Tortelli Di Zucca
Another iconic dish is Tortelli Di Zucca, originating from the city of Mantova. This is another historical recipe, as it dates back to the Renaissance period. A time of cultural, artistic, economic and political re-birth. As a matter of fact, Cristoforo Messisbugo seems to be the first to mention this in his recipe book, in 1544. He was a cook for the Gonzaga family, rulers of Mantova at the time. As I’m sure you know, tortelli is a filled type of pasta. In this dish, the tortelli is filled with: pumpkin, crumbled amaretti biscuits, sweet mustarda and finally a grating of cheese. It is usually sautéed in butter and sage to add some flavour.
Source: Discover Italy.
Risotto alla Milanese
Northern Italy has the perfect conditions to be producers of rice, hence why the Po Valley is one of the largest rice producers in Europe. The ingredient has transformed into a staple part of many culinary dishes and one of those is the risotto. Deriving from Milan, Risotto alla Milanese is certainly one of the most famous. This warming dish is rich with flavours. It has the authentic flavour of saffron, as well as parmesan cheese and butter. It can be easily spotted with its luxurious golden colour. This is the perfect dish for vegetarians, as it has no meat whilst still maintaining great flavour.
Source: La Cucina Italia.
Cassoeula
Next is another Milanese dish: Cassoeula. This is a famous dish from the Lombardy region. This hearty stew features: cabbage and pork served with polenta. The ancient dish is particularly popular in the winter season, as like most stews. It stems from the peasants of Po Valley, using all the parts of the pig that the lords and nobles refused to eat. It uses the ears, tail, feet, rind and ribs of the pig. Then, it is boiled and cooked with savoy cabbage. If you need warming up after a winter hike or ski, then this dish is exactly what you need.
Source: La Cucina Italia.
Torrone Di Cremona
Now something to settle your sweet-tooth. Torrone has been a classic product of the city of Cremona, since the 16th century. Some say it refers to the famous tower in Cremona: The Torrazzo. It’s a much loved sweet in Lombardy, the traditional nougat is mix with toasted almonds and honey. This is another loved winter dish, as people often send it as a gift as Christmas time. It is considered a very valuable gift here in Lombardy. You can get hand-made Torrone Di Cremona in many small pastry shops plotted in Italian towns.
I bet your mouth is watering after that read. Nothing beats a bit of good-old Italian cuisine. When you visit our boutique hotel, be sure to give our restaurant a try. You can see what you think of our take on traditional Italian recipes. Whilst you’re here, check out our blog, to delve deeper into the world of the Italian Alps.