Italy: Eat what you can

Rome: Italian cuisine—the very word makes me hungry. Italy is said to be home to some of the grandest marvels in the world such as the Colosseum, but it is especially known for its now-globally acclaimed cuisine. If you want more convincing about the enticing Italian food, just watch Eat Pray Love and you will know what I am talking about.

There are so many options in Italian cuisine which you must try when you are in Italy. You can, of course, find their counterparts in other parts of the world, but authentic Italian is infrequently found outside Italy.

In case you are travelling to Italy, or are already here, you should certainly try out its cuisine whenever you get a chance. In fact, you should definitely not leave the country without trying out the 5 foods I am about to mention.

Everyone’s Favourite, Pizza! Of course, you have to taste the real, authentic Italian pizza over here because the kinds of pizzas we eat outside Italy are usually tailored in accordance with local tastes. So, while you might boast about having dined at a restaurant offering authentic Italian pizza in your city, there is a great chance that it is totally localised.

Here in Italy, you will find pizzas of all tastes and prices. A common snack in Italy is the humble pizza which is very cheap and very delicious. However, what you need to know is that the whole pizza empire is bifurcated into two kinds.

One of the two is the Roman style, which is basically a thin crust pizza. The second one is the Neopolitan style (a personal favourite), which is the thick crust pizza. There is another style, which is basically a compromise between the two mentioned above and is commonly found.

Lasagna: Remember Monica Geller’s (from Friends) sumptuous lasagnas? God, they are one of the tastiest things ever—and a truly authentic Lasagna is another level of deliciousness. In simple terms, lasagne is a layered food item comprising flat pasta noodles. The dish is baked in the oven and is usually wide in size. You should know that a traditional lasagne would most likely not have tomatoes, and even today, those who serve tomatoes with it actually serve them in very less quantity. Make sure you have had a taste of this cheese-filled treat, which will fill you up for at least half-a-day!

Risotto: Risotto is most commonly found in northern Italy, but it is quite popular in other parts of the country.

It is cooked with a broth and is very creamy in nature. The said broth is made out of fish, meat and vegetables. It is one of the most common ways of eating rice, and it is so good! A fun fact about risotto: Risotto is not part of the main course; it is usually eaten before the main course.

Bottarga: You will find varieties of Bottarga around the world, but Italian bottarga is absolute heaven. It is a salted dish made from Bluefin tuna or grey mullet. It could be an expensive dish, but should not hurt trying it once in your life. You will find bottarga served with lemon juice or olive oil and is extensively used in the making of pasta. Due to its unique taste and expensive character, it is now one of the most sought-after dishes in Italy.

Carbonara: Talking about mouth-watering pasta, Carborana pasta from Rome deserves special mention. It is a pasta dish comprising guanciale, pepper, egg and hard cheese. The cheese is either Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano; though you would often find mixtures of both blended into pasta. As far as pasta is concerned, the most commonly used one is Spaghetti.

It is a Roman speciality so I suggest that you try this dish when you are in the capital, but its versions from other parts of the country are also good. Because of its popularity, you will have many options to choose from and hence, it is suggested that you take advice from a local about the place which serves the best.