Italian cuisine has grown increasingly popular worldwide, with everyone having experienced or at least heard of pizza, pasta and gelato. But what about the lesser-known Italian dishes? In this blog we will be discussing authentic and traditional Italian cuisine that is lesser known throughout the world, to help to inspire others to explore new foods they haven’t been aware of.
Zampone:
One of the most unknown Italian cuisines for tourists would be the zampone that is found in many places throughout the Christmas time. Whilst they may appear as an unfamiliar Christmas food, consisting of a pig trotter filled with pork meat, they are an Italian delicacy. Typically accompanied by cotechino, a highly spiced meat that is stuffed into the pig’s innards, combined with a side of potatoes and lentils, creates a traditional Christmas dinner. Since lentils are said to provide good luck for the new year, many Italians will include these into Holiday meals.
Passatelli:
Despite pasta being extremely well known, this ‘pasta’ is one of the most intriguing for many. Substituting the flour in the recipe for breadcrumbs instead, this recipe is combined with eggs and parmesan cheese, to give it a rich flavour. This type of dish has a very strong flavour, so is typically served in a simple broth, or in a sauce. Whilst this dish is becoming more popular, there is still a wide number of the world’s population who remain unaware of this dish.
Rigatoni Con La Pajata:
This next dish may not be for everyone, which is why it is one of the less known Italian dishes. Made from the intestines of an unweaned calf, with the semi-digested milk still inside, this dish is then boiled to produce a creamy cheese inside the intestines. Often served with tomato sauce and a popular tubed pasta, rigatoni, this dish’s strong flavour is made for anyone with an adventurous palette.
Sfoglio Di Polizzi:
This one is ideal for those wanting a sweet treat on holiday. This Sicilian treat is made from a fresh cheese, made from sheep’s milk, cinnamon, sugar and chocolate. Whilst this may sound like an odd combination, this cake is a traditional delicacy, typically served cold. In the town of Polizzi Generosa there is even a summer festival dedicated to this beloved local treat. If you are not one for sweet treats however, there is a savoury option to this dish, made with a filling of risotto and sausage.
Mulignane Cu a Ciucculata:
Another sweet local treat, this time originated from Campania. This dish may sound strange since it is a combination of fried aubergine, and coated in rich chocolate. Aubergine slices are coated with a light batter, and then fried, coated with chocolate sauce and then sprinkled with either fruit or nuts. The combination of sweet chocolate and slightly savoury aubergine creates a unique yet complex tasting experience.
Al Pacino Restaurant – Contact Us:
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Or if you would like to get in direct contact with our team, you can email through at info@alpacinorestaurant.com. Or call us on 01206 762 000.
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