| If you ask us, the best part of traveling to Italy is | | | | often served in pasta dishes. And swordfish is |
| sampling all the different Italian foods. Every | | | | wonderful here. |
| region of Italy has it's own cuisine and local | | | | Meat is less popular here than in Rome, and |
| specialties, which you can try everywhere - from | | | | cheese is a key ingredient in many dishes. It's |
| street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants. | | | | used to fill pasta dishes like lasagna, cannelloni, or |
| The next time you travel to Italy, here are some | | | | ravioli, and to top dishes like Eggplant Parmesan - |
| dishes you should sample: | | | | Parmigiana di Melanzane. Mozzarella made from |
| Roman specialties. | | | | water buffalo milk is very popular. |
| Rome is best known for rustic cooking that's rich, | | | | Sfogliatelle is a wonderful dessert that combines |
| meaty, and comforting on a cold, winter night. | | | | ricotta cheese, almond paste, and puff pastry. |
| Braised beef and roasted suckling pig - porchetta - | | | | What's not to like? The area around Sorrento is |
| are very popular. But there's also lots of fresh | | | | famous for its lemons and one of the best known |
| produce so vegetarians can eat well in Rome too. | | | | products is Limoncello. Served ice cold, it can be |
| Artichokes, known in Italy as carciofi, are available | | | | enjoyed before or after meals. |
| everywhere in spring. They're prepared many | | | | Sicilian specialties. |
| different ways, and they're absolutely delicious. | | | | An island off the west coast of Italy, Sicily has a |
| Zucchini flowers, zucca, are abundant in late | | | | tremendous history. Over the centuries, it's been |
| summer and early autumn, when they're stuffed | | | | ruled by many civilizations. And each had an |
| with cheese and anchovies and deep fried. You | | | | influence on Sicilian food, which features bold, |
| can sample both by ordering a Fritto Misto or | | | | pungent flavors. Subtle, it's not. Fresh seafood, |
| mixed fried appetizer. | | | | including swordfish, tuna, and sardines, is on the |
| Rice croquettes, which are also deep fried, are | | | | menu daily. And there are vegetables aplenty. One |
| another good choice for vegetarians. There's | | | | of the best-known Sicilian dishes is Caponata, a |
| often a little square of cheese in the center that | | | | spicy blend of tomatoes, olives, onions, and |
| melts during frying. Gnocchi made with potatoes | | | | peppers. It's delicious served on fish. Another local |
| or semolina is often made without meat. | | | | favorite is Panelle, which is made from fried ceci |
| Two of Italy's most famous pasta dishes come | | | | or garbanzo beans. |
| from Rome - Bucatini All'Amatriciana and | | | | Sicilian desserts are some of the best in Italy. |
| Spaghetti alla Carbonara. The first is made with | | | | Cannoli, light pastry tubes filled with sweetened |
| tomatoes, onions, and pancetta, the second with | | | | ricotta cheese, and Almond Biscuits are sold in |
| eggs, pancetta, and Parmesan cheese. | | | | bakeries all over the island. And the Sicilian |
| Veal Saltimbocca is stuffed with sage leaves, | | | | Cassata - a cheescake made with ricotta and |
| ham, and cheese, then lightly breaded, | | | | candied fruits and nuts - should not be missed. |
| sautéed, and baked. Adventurous eaters | | | | Tuscan specialities. |
| can sample organ meats at traditional Roman | | | | Florentine cuisine is the simplest in Italy. The |
| restaurants. Whatever you order, save room for | | | | country's best beef comes from here. And no |
| the Roman version of cheesecake, Torta di | | | | visit to Florence is complete without trying |
| Ricotta. | | | | Bistecca alla Fiorentina - a thick, local steak that's |
| Neapolitan specialties. | | | | been marinated with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, and |
| When most Americans think of Italian food, it's | | | | then charcoal grilled. Beans, called fagioli, often |
| southern Italian cooking that comes to mind. The | | | | accompany grilled meats and vegetables. And no |
| cuisine developed around Naples features plenty | | | | Tuscan meal is complete without a glass of local |
| of tomatoes, cheese, garlic, fresh herbs, and | | | | red wine, such as Chianti or Montepulciano. |
| onions. The city of Naples serves the best pizza in | | | | Game like boar, rabbit and duck are delicious |
| the world. In fact, Neapolitan pizza is regulated by | | | | braised in the wine. And cured meats, including |
| the Italian government, like Parma ham or Chianti. | | | | Parma ham, are first rate. Salt Cod, or Baccala, is |
| If you're traveling in Campania, as the region is | | | | combined in an earthenware pot with tomatoes |
| called, eat pizza often. | | | | and garlic and baked until tender. Bread salad, |
| Seafood is another good choice. In most cases, | | | | Panzanella, and tomato soup, Pappa al Pomodoro, |
| it's fresh from the Mediterranean and simply | | | | are popular at lunch. Bologna, in the northern part |
| prepared - quickly grilled or sautéed, and | | | | of Tuscany, is best known for its hearty meat |
| finished with olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. | | | | sauce. For dessert, try lemon tart or the dense |
| Shellfish, including squid, shrimp, and mussels are | | | | spice cake known as Panforte. |