Italy is globally known for its delectable cuisine and traditional recipes, but the food has its own wonderful regional variations. This article highlights some interesting local dishes you should try while in Mantua, a city where many river cruises in Italy make a stop. Some names on this list are quite popular around the world, while others are hidden gems you shouldn’t miss.
Risotto alla Pilota
Risotto alla pilota is a staple of the local cuisine. Made with the perfect balance of rice and water, this dish is carefully cooked on a flame, with a specific rest time allotted off-fire. The result of this is a risotto that looks dried and almost entirely shelled. The word pilota originated from piloti, the name for rice huskers who were also considerable consumers of the harvest.
Torta Helvetia
Since most river cruises in Italy try not to miss the stunning port of Mantua, the mouth-watering dish that is torta helvetia has gained an international reputation through tourists who rave about its deliciousness. Since 1789, the city has been home to several coffeemakers and pastry chefs, who mainly arrived from Switzerland. The helvetia cake was invented by one such visitor, Samson Putscher.
As can be clearly seen, this dessert is takes inspiration from Swiss cuisine; its unique taste and shape is made possible by almond dough and zabaione. This cake is created from three circular disks of sugar and almond dough, egg whites and two chocolate and zabaione layers. Depending on where you try them, some of these cakes are also embellished with whipped cream or dark chocolate drops.
Tortelli di Zucca
This pumpkin tortelli is not just known in Mantua, it’s also a firm favourite across Italy. It’s a gastronomic speciality that’s especially important during Christmas, specifically the Christmas Eve dinner. Stuffed with a perfectly balanced mix of pumpkin and mustard, the subtle sweetness and gentle spice of the ingredients make it a superb food to try. It’s believed this dish originated from the Renaissance, after the Americas were discovered. Interestingly, Pellegrino Artusi, considered the father of Italian cookery, did not include this dish in his famous cookbook, since he believed pumpkin was not suitable for the status of the rising middle class. Ironically, tortelli di zucca is now one of the region’s most popular specialities.
River cruises in Italy offer a hassle-free way of visiting different places during the same trip, also giving you the opportunity to try the local foods of the region. It makes for a holiday rich with cultural and gastronomic experiences which you are likely to cherish for a lifetime. When you set off on your journey across Italy through its rivers, don’t forget to make the most of your time there by trying these great foods in Mantua.
Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider of all-inclusive, luxury river cruises in Italy itineraries, as well as barge holidays in other great destinations. Part of a team of experienced barging aficionados, Paul is first in line to endorse the perks of a slow-paced barge cruise to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.
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