Italian cuisine is famous for a huge variety of cheese, unique spices, and seasonings, vegetables, and seafood.
We can eat pizza and pasta almost anywhere in the world.
Still, the South of Italy offers some unique dishes that you should try.
In some regions, seafood, fresh tomatoes, and olive oil rein the table.
In the others, meat and heavy cream sauces are considered the best.
Check these top 6 worth trying unusual Italian dishes.
Contents
Baccala
Baccala is a dish made of salted cod.
The cooks bake cod with potatoes or pepper or fry it deeply.
Previously, they roll cod in flour or breadcrumbs.
Baccala has been cooked in different techniques.
But there is no strict recipe.
In Italy, Baccala is appreciated a lot, especially in the Campania region and Naples.
In Southern Italy, there’s a traditional Christmas Eve dinner which usually consists of seven seafood dishes, and Baccala is one of the Italian favorites.
Anelletti al Forno
Anelletti al Forno’s originates from Sicily.
That’s why it’s often called Sicilian Lasagna.
This is a stuffed pasta that is full of filling which makes the dish curve.
Stewed beef and chicken breast are normal stuffings for Anelletti.
But you can also replace them with fried rabbit meat or sausages with vegetables.
The most frequently used are spinach, chard or salad chicory.
You can also add parmesan, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the filling.
When it comes to decorating, Italians use breadcrumbs.
Minestra Maritata
Minestra Maritata is one of the oldest dishes of Neapolitan cuisine.
It consists of boiled meat and vegetables.
The dish is especially popular in winter.
This is a very rich and delicious soup that they serve during the Christmas or Easter holidays.
Nevertheless, it is suitable for all festive occasions.
According to Neapolitan traditions, women gathered to cook this soup with patience and care.
The preparation process required much time.
Although, the soup recipe is very simple.
You need a mixture of meat and vegetables and a boiling broth to cook it.
The name of the dish can be translated as “wedding soup”.
Spaghetti Alle Vongole
Spaghetti Alle Vongole (or Spaghetti with clams) is the first dish of Italian cuisine and in particular the Campania region.
On Christmas Eve, it becomes an important attribute of the festive table.
Bianco and Rosso are two variations of the dish.
Bianco means dressing with oil, garlic, and parsley.
At the same time, Rosso dressing is tomatoes and basil.
Such an easy to prepare dish is perfect for both winter and summer dinners.
Insalata di Rinforzo
In Naples, locals eat this salad on Christmas Eve.
Taste of Neapolitan salad is very bright.
If you like anchovies, you will undoubtedly like the cauliflower cooked al dente, tender fried peppers, and even olives.
Everything in this salad creates the most advantageous setting for anchovies.
To finish the cooking, oil and vinegar are used.
Cannoli
Cannoli dessert is a crispy wafer roll.
This is a traditional folk treat in Sicily and Southern Italy.
Besides, cannoli are very popular in the United States.
The Italian immigrants brought it there.
A cannoli waffle crisp tube is filled with creamy mascarpone cheese, whipped cottage cheese or ricotta.
Chiefs add various syrups with the taste of vanilla or chocolate, marsala wine or rose water.
An important tip is it’s better to add the filling before serving, as the dough may soften.
Italy Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
