I had actually dismissed Italian food in favor of Japanese in recent years so it's been nice to rediscover all the nice foods. I love unusual food and I am obsessed with pop ups, food fusions, unusual places, gimmicks.....so good Italian food has been a change from eating Asian fusion kebabs with organic vegan Korean sauces cooked over an open fire and served on a stone slab. If you get me.
There are a lot of things I am going to miss about living here. But lets just talk about the food first right?
.1 - Perugina Pistacchio Chocolate
I cannot stress to you just how much I love this. I knew I loved pistachio before coming to Italy but the Italians love it more then I ever could. There is pistachio EVERYWHERE. I would suggest trying this chocolate if you see it and pistachio gelato as its is honest the best thing. It's really good quality chocolate made in Perugia. It's been made there since 1907. So I know they know what they are doing.
2 -Artichokes
I've become completely obsessed with artichokes since I've lived here. I love them in a jar soaked in oil. I add them to everything from salad to risotto to pasta. In fact, I had a sneaky few last night before bed. So good. I don't like making them myself though. The plant has thorns at the top of every leaf that need to be trimmed otherwise it hurts! Ha! So much easier to get them pre-dealt with. I also have to recommend this on pizza.
3 - Good Coffee.
I wasn't expecting this to be such a thing but when I got back from Italy at Christmas, I couldn't find a decent cup anywhere. In fact, the first coffee I had was twice the price of what I pay here and awful. I'm not looking forward to this. I pay €1 for a small shot of coffee which is so much nicer then having a €5 cup of foam, cream and crap from Starbucks. I firmly believe that if you know nothing about coffee but like sugar then Starbucks is perfect for you.
4 - Gelato in weird flavors.
I have become completely obsessed with this. Again my love of all things unusual comes into play here. I love finding completely different ice cream ideas and trying them out. Some of the more ‘different’ ones have been avocado, salted peanut, nutella mixed with vanilla and pistachio cream mixed with vanilla. There are no shortages to unusual flavors. In fact, the best place to get involved in this is in Rome. Gelateria Della Palma has over 150 flavors of gelato. Although, I suggest that you chance the salted peanut as its unreal. I think I had gotten so used to dull ice cream in England that I never really bothered with it. Italy is a place to rediscover interesting flavors.
5 - Gnocci
So worth it. These are very heavy but so worth it. I am so glad that I can find gluten free versions of this. They take about five seconds to boil after work as well. They make me incredibly happy. Boiling these, adding tomato sauce and mozzarella makes the best dinner. I have tried a few that have had different ingredients stuffed in the center like salmon or meat. (I’ve only been vegetarian since January)
5 - Boar
One again, I turned vegetarian in January and even at that - I have one small problem. In being a coeliac, if the vegetarian/vegan option has gluten in it then I have to give in and eat meat. I find this is often the case. It makes me sad but I have a medical condition and it isn’t always possible to get the chance to eat both. In October, I found wild boar stew in Foligno. It’s gorgeous although I’m not sure if it is seasonal.
6 - Plain Pasta
Plain pasta with nothing but mozzarella and a tiny bit of garlic. I never thought of plain pasta before. I used to dump sauce on it whenever I made it. I don’t know when I started not using sauce but I think I eat it plain rather then covered more often then not now. I also like to add rosemary to it occasionally.
7 - Unusual pizza combinations
I’ve had some amazing pizza here. When I lived in England, pizza was so awful. You either ordered a greasy disgusting thing from a take away that resembles a pizza OR you go out to a place that offers something slightly better. Here you can buy pizza for €1 a slice using fresh and tasty ingredients. The best combination that I have had is radish leaves, walnuts and goats cheese. That one was unreal. I am also keen to try nettle pizza. Yes that is pizza with nettles on it. I need to try that. But I love getting ideas for pizza toppings. I normally make my own in England as so many places don’t offer gluten free. I’m sure my boyfriend won’t mind testing some of the different ones!
I’ve had some amazing pizza here. When I lived in England, pizza was so awful. You either ordered a greasy disgusting thing from a take away that resembles a pizza OR you go out to a place that offers something slightly better. Here you can buy pizza for €1 a slice using fresh and tasty ingredients. The best combination that I have had is radish leaves, walnuts and goats cheese. That one was unreal. I am also keen to try nettle pizza. Yes that is pizza with nettles on it. I need to try that. But I love getting ideas for pizza toppings. I normally make my own in England as so many places don’t offer gluten free. I’m sure my boyfriend won’t mind testing some of the different ones!
8 - Cheeses.
I am obsessed with cheese. I really don’t dislike any cheese. However, Italian cheeses were never high on my radar. I think I normally went for the French blues or brie. Since moving here I have discovered parmesan, gorgonzola, riccota and mozzarella. In fact I don’t know what I did without mozzarella in my life.
9 - Wine and prosecco.
I still remember the first time I saw a wine and prosecco aisle in a supermarket here. I was SHOCKED at how low the prices were. Granted, Italy doesn’t do drunk the same way that the English or Irish do so they can have nice things. By this I mean wine that costs under €10 a bottle and it is nice wine too. I have bought prosecco for next to nothing in supermarkets here. In fact, its hard to get the motivation to go out when you can get a nice wine and watch a film in your own home. Some of the local wines are gorgeous too. I’ve been researching what wines I like and what I don’t like. I always have wine in the house to cook with. I wish this was the case in the UK but sadly because the drinking culture is so different, the prices of alcohol are much higher.
10 - Milanese Risotto
Risotto with saffron in it. It’s unreal and very tasty. I normally make this and add garlic and peas to it. It’s also neon yellow which is fun! I’ve only started making risotto this month which makes me sad. I waited until I was going home to try it!
11 - Arancini Di Riso
These are gorgeous. I got forced to have one by the lady who runs the pizza place I go to. She was so proud as she had just made them. However, I think she had forgotten I order vegetarian gluten free all the time and she made me have one of these breaded balls. I felt it would be rude to say no as she gave it to me to try heated and for free. Its rice wrapped around meat and vegetables with sauce on the inside. It is then coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden. It’s named after an orange because it looks like one. I love it. I really want to make these myself once I get home.
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