6 Delicious Dishes to Try in Italy

By Tamiera Vandegrift on April 15, 2017

There are plenty of reasons to love Italy: the culture, the landscapes, the architecture, and of course, the food!

If you are lucky enough to study abroad in Italy, you will be lucky enough to experience some of the greatest cuisines in the world. When you think of Italian cuisine, you probably imagine Olive Garden, pizza, and some fancy types of wine. In reality, there is a lot more to Italy and its scrumptious dishes than what meets the eye.

As you escape the comfort zone of your hometown, you will definitely escape the comfort zone that your taste buds are used to. Before you grab your fork and knife, hold your appetite for just a moment! Keep reading to learn about all the yummiest dishes that you should try while you are studying abroad in Italy.

Image via: www.pixabay.com

Creamy Gnocchi

If you’re a fan of Olive Garden’s chicken and gnocchi soup (if you have not tried it, you are definitely missing out on something magical), trying creamy gnocchi on its own will be a beautiful experience for you. Gnocchi is a thick and heavy potato dumpling, and it is incredibly delicious!

Gnocchi is usually served with a creamy, thick sauce that is similar to Alfredo sauce. It is also available with a delicious amount of parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. Creamy gnocchi is a perfect appetizer or side dish to a fantastic meal. However, in Italy, it tends to be a pretty expensive dish despite it being such a small meal.

Image via: Wikimedia Commons

Prosciutto

Are you a bacon fan? If so, prosciutto just might be your cup of tea. Prosciutto is a dry-cured ham that is normally cut into very thin slices and served raw. In Italian, it is called prosciutto cudo. It is a household name all over the Italian countryside, especially in the kitchens of Italy. It is an absolute must-eat food in Italy.

It is typically eaten as an appetizer for almost any meal. There are a number of things that you can try with prosciutto, like serving it with gnocchi, topping a pizza with it, or wrapping it around mozzarella. Such a creative and tasty food cannot be missed when you are in Italy!

Image via: Wikipedia

Carbonara

You might have tried carbonara back home, but in Italy, it is an entirely different story. The delicious Italian dish is typically made with spaghetti pasta, but depending on the restaurant you go to, it might be served with linguine, bucatini, rigatoni, and fettucini. The dish is made with eggs, cheese, bacon, and black pepper. If you are a pasta lover, which I’m sure you are, carbonara is a must-eat while you are in Italy!

Image via: Wikimedia Commons

Gelato

If you are an ice cream lover like I am, gelato will put you on a fast course to the heavens of sugary treats. This delicious Italian wonder is made with a milk base, cream, and sugar — just like ice cream! It can also be flavored with fruits, nuts, and other toppings. While there are probably many ice cream parlors or frozen yogurt joints that serve gelato near you, nothing will compare to gelato in its country of origin.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a spoon and get some!

Image via: www.pixabay.com

Tiramisu

Speaking of dessert, have you ever tried tiramisu? You have probably heard the name in that awesome Macklemore song, but once you try it, you will definitely find your jam. It is an absolute classic dessert in Italy with many moderations. Tiramisu is a coffee-flavored custard dessert, made of miniature bananas (otherwise known as ladyfingers) that are coated in coffee, and coated in whipped eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, right before being flavored with chocolate. Cater to your inner sweet tooth and try one of the most famous Italian desserts.

Image via: www.pixabay.com

Margherita Pizza

Well, we all knew this was coming. What is a trip to Italy without eating a plate of delicious pizza? Margherita pizza is a far step beyond your typical doorstep delivery service. This pizza, which originated in Naples, has a variety of forms: large, crispy, small, doughy — anything you want! It is basically your freshly made personal pizza that you can modify into the dish of your dreams.

Margherita pizza is similar to your typical pizza, topped with tomato sauce and cheese, but its flatbread and toppings make it something a little more magical. Step outside your culinary comfort zone and try it!

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