If you go to an Italian restaurant or trattoria for lunch or dinner, you'll probably start with an antipasto like bruschetta or with an Italian bread like focaccia seasoned with olive oil, salt and herbs. But some pasta dishes take more time and skill to make, and these include lasagne, a baked pasta dish in which sheets of flat pasta divide layers of meat, seafood or vegetables in a sauce. Rice is also the main ingredient in risotto, a creamy dish in which rice is cooked in a meat, fish or vegetable broth. Pizza originated in the Italian city of Naples in the late 18th century when someone tried putting a tomato topping on focaccia, an Italian flatbread that's still popular today. Booked your holiday? Traditional Genoan pesto is a tribute to two of the wonderful fresh ingredients of the Liguria region: small leaves of fresh, local basil and excellent, aromatic, Ligurian olive oil. To ensure you are drinking an authentic Chianti, look for the black rooster symbol on the label. Tuscan wines are popular all over the globe but the best-known is without a doubt Chianti. For a long time they were eaten only during Carnival but now can be enjoyed any time of the year. Many regions of Italy produce olive oil but the biggest producer in the whole country is Puglia, the ‘heel’ of Italy which boasts a fantastic climate and the ideal terrain for olive trees. What makes Italy such a great holiday destination? Although the exact origins of gelato are unclear, Sicily has definitely played a major role in its history. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation. Many different versions of Sicilian cannoli are found across the world nowadays but nothing beats the real thing. Although the wide commercialisation of gelato has caused many gelaterie to serve a ‘fake’ gelato made with a industrial powdered mix, nothing can beat a real, natural gelato made the traditional way. I have a friend from Italy who always says that the Italian food here isn’t authentic. Subscribe today and you’ll be eligible to join Saga’s free membership programme, Possibilities. Protect it from the moment you buy Saga's Travel Insurance. Italian food has become one of the most world's most popular national cuisines. ‘Or head out of the busy city centre to the edges of the ultra-trendy Isola neighbourhood, where you’ll find Ratanà (Via Gaetano de Castillia, 28), a neo-bistro serving refined northern Italian classics, overlooking a small park. Italy is famous for it's amazing cuisine and beautiful wines. ribollita (noun): a bread and vegetable soup first made by Tuscan peasants - In the past, ribollita was often made with leftover foods. If you go to an Italian supermarket, or if you eat in an Italian restaurant, you can find other kinds of pasta that are shaped like shells or tiny pillows. Where to eat Pesto Genovese: In Genoa you can’t go wrong at Il Genovese where the pesto is freshly made every day. ( 17 August 2018 ). Many of the world's most popular recipes for home-cooked meals are also from Italy, especially those for various kinds of pasta. risotto (noun): an Italian dish of creamy rice cooked in a vegetable, meat or fish broth - Why don't you try this mushroom and chicken risotto? Top tip: It has been much disputed where carbonara originated, but all evidence seems to point to Rome. fettuccine (noun): pasta stretched into long, flat strips like ribbons - I had the fettuccine and my friend had the lasagne. The origins of Carbonara are unclear but the name is thought to be derived for the Italian word for charcoal and many believe it was prepared as a filling meal for coal miners. panna cotta (noun): an Italian dessert made of sweetened, thickened cream - I love panna cotta with strawberry syrup topping. Order pasta all’arrabiata or look out for ‘nduja or salame piccante (spicy salami) in any delicatessen. You can then follow dessert with one of the many Italian coffees that are so popular all over the world these days. Q pasta (noun): fresh or dried wheat dough in many shapes such as long, thin spaghetti and short tubular macaroni - Italians have been eating pasta since the 12th century. Authentic homemade pasta is a universal favourite and two of the most iconic Italian pasta dishes are spaghetti bolognese and creamy carbonara, topped off with some tempting parmigiano-reggiano (parmesan) cheese. Italian cuisine appeals to most people, perhaps because Italians pride themselves on the simplicity of their food, relying on the intense flavours of quality produce, rather than complicated recipes. This is a list of Italian dishes and foods.Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BC. ‘Try the signature milk risotto or a traditional risotto alla Milanese, the city’s famous rice dish, scented and coloured bright yellow with saffron – a truly timeless dish. Our guide to the best foods and drinks to try in Venice, Register your interest now for the 2020 Oberammergau Passion Play. You’ll pay around €65 for two. Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive offers, discounts and the best in food and travel advice across Europe.