To get the most out of your culinary travels in Italy, do as the Italians do; shop like an Italian, eat like an Italian, and drink like an Italian. Speak to waiters, ask locals for advice, chat with shop owners, and watch what people buy, when they eat their meals, and which accompaniments they choose.
Traveling in Italy
Cooking tips while traveling in Italy
Use these travel tips to find out the best ways to live like a local with these cooking tips while traveling in Italy. They are perfect for saving money while travelling, and eating extremely well!
Don’t go big on breakfast
Italians tend to start the day with a strong espresso or a milky café latte, accompanied by a pastry which is often a croissant or crostata (Italian breakfast tart).
If you’re cooking your breakfast pastries then bear in mind that the Italian croissant, known as acornetto, differs from the French version. It is less buttery, a little lighter tends to be smaller, and is usually finished with a delicious orange glaze.
Abandon stereotypes
Many of the Italian dishes you might be used to at home are variations of traditional dishes, adapted to suit the Western palate.
For example; did you know that Bolognese sauce is traditionally served with tagliatelle rather than spaghetti? Or that an authentic carbonara sauce isn’t made with cream? Trust the chefs you meet and learn to cook authentic dishes the traditional way. You can even think of starting your own restaurant if you are so attracted to this field.
Cooking tips while traveling in Italy – Cook like a local
Cook two courses for lunch
The saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” doesn’t apply in Italy. Lunch is the main deal in Italy and you’ll notice that many shops and tourist attractions shut for several hours during lunchtime.
To cook lunch the Italian way, prepare a generous pasta course, followed up with a protein course of meat or cheese, perhaps with some fried veggies on the side. If serving wine, include a jug of water to dilute it with and have fruit or gelato ready for dessert.
Shop in local markets
Join the locals and shop for your goods in Italy’s wonderful open-air markets, rather than going to the supermarket. Not only do local markets expose you to the best seasonal foods of each region but they’ll also allow you to speak with stall owners, ask them questions about their foodstuffs, and maybe even taste some of their wares before you buy them.
To get the most out of your trip, go armed with an Italian dictionary and learn the names of the ingredients you plan to buy.
Cooking tips while traveling in Italy – Shop at local markets
Be regional
Italian cuisine varies greatly between regions and each Italian region has its own specialty dishes, cooking preferences, and local ingredients which have been shaped by the local geography, history, and climate. You should appreciate this distinction by noticing what’s on sale in local markets, looking around at what’s growing in the fields, what people are cooking, and what local restaurants are serving up from cacio e pepe to white garlic pizza.
For example, Venetian cuisine features risottos, heavy sauces, and tiramisu. If you are travelling in Tuscany, expect to be cooking more simply using plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, cheeses, and bread, with delicious Tuscan soups a firm feature of the cuisine. While coastal regions like Cinque Terre will naturally favor seafood and fish dishes.
Cinque Terre is home to delicious seafood – Cooking tips while traveling in Italy
If you are passionate about Italian food, try a Flavours cooking holiday and enjoy learning how to create traditional recipes like an Italian.
What are your special tips for living like a local while travelling? Do you have any other cooking tips while traveling in Italy?