EATING LIKE AN ITALIAN

Life in Italy is synonymous with authentic and delicious food. We are all familiar with the Italian cuisine delights of pizza and pasta, but traditional Italian food has even more to offer.

We’re uncovering some of the country’s most authentic Italian dishes, the staple ingredients used in Italian cooking and Italy’s best food cities and markets to visit, inspiring your next food pairing choice to enjoy with a BIRRA MORETTI.

CLASSIC ITALIAN INGREDIENTS

Extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pasta, garlic, fresh tomatoes, oregano, basil, capers and Italian cheeses are central in Italian cuisine and Italian cooking is world-renowned for the use of fresh and locally-sourced seasonal produce.

Italy’s abundance of high-quality fruit, vegetables and herbs nurtured by the country’s enviable climate and continuous sunshine, sit at the heart of authentic Italian cooking and elevate the distinctive taste and smell of the food. Locally sourced means fresh, and fresh is always best.

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN FOOD

The likes of lasagne, pizza, spaghetti Bolognese, ravioli and risotto have always been popular. Their appeal is timeless, yet there are so many other Italian varieties that are just as simple to make. We’ve picked our top favourites across pasta, rice, vegetables, meat, fish and (of course) beer.

PASTA

Pasta’s variety and versatility makes it the king of Italian cooking and gives us eternal crowd pleasers like classic fettuccine, or creamy carbonara. If your fridge is a little bare mid-week, a simple combination of spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, chopped fresh chilli, garlic and parsley, whips up a mouth-wateringly delightful ‘Spaghetti Aglio, olio e Peperoncino’, which tastes as exquisite as its sounds.

RICE

The humble risotto holds first place as Italy’s most famous rice dish (try our ‘Truffle Risotto’). However, lesser-known ‘Arancini’, also known as ‘Arancia’ (or ‘Arancine’ in plural) are deep fried rice balls from Sicily that are hugely popular throughout Italy.

Try combining rice with Italy’s most iconic vegetable, using our ‘Creamy Rice Stuffed Tomatoes’ recipe for a hearty, delicious and nutritious meal. Plus, for an Italian dessert with a difference, Sicily’s ‘Dolce di Castagne e Riso’, a rice pudding flavoured with chestnuts, is sure to be the talk of the table.

DISCOVER OUR TRUFFLE RISOTTO HERE

VEGETABLES

Many of the best classic Italian dishes are vegetarian, with fresh and locally-sourced vegetables being at the heart of many recipes. Consider keeping it light with Italian starters of ‘Tomato and Pepper Bruschetta’ and ‘Uova alla Piemontese’, or warm the soul with a rustic Tuscan ‘Ribollita’ soup featuring fresh tomatoes, carrot, kale and filling white beans.

For main course, ‘Melanzane Alla Parmigiana’ is a delicious classic originating from southern Italy, a simple dish of aubergines baked with tomato sauce, basil, parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

DISCOVER OUR BRUSCHETTA AND UOVA ALLA PIEMONTESE HERE

MEAT

When it comes to antipasti, Italy is famed for cured meats like prosciutto, pancetta, coppa and bresaola.

One of Italy’s most versatile main meat dishes is ‘Braciola’. Thinly sliced beef, pork, chicken or veal is pounded flat and filled with ingredients like cheese, nuts, prosciutto and fresh herbs before being seared and then simmered in a classic tomato sauce.

If you’ve been to Italy, you’ll notice that Italian’s don’t ‘do’ chicken in pasta. That’s not to say chicken isn’t popular; ‘Chicken Cacciatore’ (hunter-style chicken) is a widely-enjoyed Italian dish from central Italy.

SEAFOOD

‘Polpo e Patate’ (octopus and potato salad) is a popular Italian starter. For the truly adventurous, try the exotic Italian delicacy of ‘Ricci di Mare’ – fresh, raw sea urchins scooped directly from their shells and drizzled with lemon juice. If that’s too big a dip in the ocean, ‘Linguine alle Vongole’ (linguine with clams in a white wine and garlic sauce), is one of the simplest and most treasured Italian seafood recipes.

ITALIAN BEER

The complex flavours of BIRRA MORETTI L’Autentica and BIRRA MORETTI Zero pair beautifully with traditional Italian foods. Their slightly malted, lighter style works in harmony with risottos, pasta and white meats. Serving them at a slightly warmer temperature of around 10-12 degrees Celsius makes them particularly delicious with fish-based dishes (especially those with a tomato sauce), red meat and simple desserts.

ITALY’S BEST CITIES FOR FOOD

The city of Bologna, famed for Bolognese sauce, is regarded as one of the top food cities in Italy. However, as a general guide; head to Milan for Risotto, Naples for pizza, Rome for carbonara, Verona for gnocchi, Florence for steak and gelato, Cagliari for seafood, Venice for tiramisu and Parma for ham.

Authentic Italian food is at its best in the vibrant local food markets. The beating heart of the community, they are places to immerse yourself in the joy of traditional Italian food. Here’s some of our favourites:

• THE QUADRILATERO IN BOLOGNA: The oldest in Bologna. Stroll the narrow streets for culinary delights like pastas, cured meats, fresh seafood, freshly-baked bread and pastries.
• RIALTO MARKET IN VENICE: One of the longest-running markets in the world, its fish market is a particular highlight - unsurprising given the city’s position on the lagoon.
• MERCATO ALBINELLI IN MODENA: This famed Italian market personifies everything an Italian market should be about - if it’s grown or produced locally, it’s here.
• ORTIGIA MARKET IN SIRACUSA: One of the most reasonably priced, it’s renowned for its fresh produce - particularly citrus fruits, with Torocco blood oranges a firm favourite.
• SANT'AMBROGIO MARKET IN FLORENCE: The perfect destination for a taste of daily Tuscan life; it’s where the locals gather to shop, eat and catch up with friends.

Traditional Italian food plays a central role in Italian culture and their love of family and friends is one of the reasons why Italians are so passionate about food. When planning a trip to Italy, look forward to discovering the true taste of Italy from its authentic home.

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Traditional Italian food | Birra Moretti