Food of Italy

If you were to ask my favourite type of cuisine, my first response would likely be Italian. I love everything about it - from the fresh and local ingredients, to the simplicity of the dishes and the love that goes into every single meal prepared. So, on our recent family vacation to Rome, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast, I took full advantage of everything the Italian cuisine has to offer. From cappuccinos and cannolis, to fresh lemons, olives and tomatoes, homemade buffalo mozzarella and salami, handcrafted pizza and pasta and fresh seafood straight from the Tyyrhenian Sea, my belly left the country feeling pretty satisfied. 

The first stop on my recap of our trip to Italy is going to be a tour for your taste buds, also known as 'how we ate and drank our way through Italy'...

The refreshing afternoon treat. Gelato was a must try on our culinary bucket list. I opted for the refreshing citrusy flavours of orange and lemon, whereas Steve preferred the rich chocolate and nutella.

The starters. Bruschetta with fresh basil, garlic and tomato or an antipasto plate with local olives, cheese and salami were regulars around our dinner table. If that is all I ate the entire trip, I would still go home a happy girl.

The pizza. Pizza is the most popular and best known creation of all Neapolitan cuisine, so of course we had to try it. The way the Italians make pizza is the way it should be, with a simple crust. None of that thick, doughy crust stuff. They let the toppings do the talking, with everything from arugula to mushrooms, olives, prosciutto and thick slices of parmesan cheese.

The pasta. Campania, the region where Napoli and the Amalfi Coast are located, is one of the largest producers and consumers of pasta in Italy, especially spaghetti. Similar to the pizza, Italians do tomato sauce right, just a few crushed tomatoes with garlic and olive oil.  The ravioli below was the die for.

The seafood. Spaghetti alle vongole, or spaghetti with clams and mussels, was my go-to meal of the trip. Pasta, olive oil, garlic and clams or mussels, it doesn't get much simpler than that. I can't wait to make it at home. Another local speciality that we had to try was squid and octopus, steamed with a bit of fresh lemon juice.

The beverages. Wine, limoncello and cappuccinos. No explanation needed. 

Are you hungry yet? I know I am!

What is your favourite Italian dish?

Read more about our trip to Italy here:

Mystery Trip Recap