Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»
Brescia
A porcine paradise, the window of Brescia's Salumeria Fratelli Castiglioni overflows with sausages,
cotechino
(a boiled salami),
lardo
(lard),
guanciale
(pig cheek) and
pestöm
(a minced pork salami).
»
Casoncelli
(or
casoncèi
) Bergamo's distinctive ravioli stuffed with sausage meat.
Lake Como
Isolated within a steep mountain valley, Larian cuisine is fish-focused. Perch, pike, tench,
shad, sardines, local
lavarello
(white fish) and eels are all plentiful. Often fish is served
lightly fried (
fritto
), grilled or poached. More elaborate treatments include fish soups,
marinades and risotto. The surrounding mountain valleys yield up taleggio, Bitto and
Formagella cheeses along with cured meats.
»
Bellagio
Renowned for its super rich Toc polenta, blended with butter and cheese. Sample it straight from the fire at
Albergo Silvio (
Click here
).
»
Lavarello in salsa verde
A local white fish marinated in a green parsley and garlic sauce.
Lake Garda
Influenced by the regions of Lombardy, Trentino and the Veneto, which border its expans-
ive shoreline, Garda's cuisine combines fish and meat with the more Mediterranean fla-
vours of citrus and olives. Mountain meat dishes and Austro-Hungarian influences linger
on in the north, while the southern shores of the lake are characterised by fish flavoured
with fruity olive oils and citrus, and accompanied by zesty local wines from the vineyards
of Bardolino and Lugana.
»
Riva del Garda
This is the place to sample Austrian-style
carne salata
(thinly sliced salted beef) at Trattoria Piè di
Castello (
Click here
).
»
Valpolicella
Young vintners at Massimago (
Click here
) and Fratelli Vogadori (
Click here
) are reviving the region's
reputation as a producer of some of Italy's finest red wines.
»
Valtenesi
This corner of Lake Garda is famous for its superior olive oils. Comincioli (
Click here
) is an award-winning
producer.
Lake Maggiore
Combining the blockbuster cuisines of Piedmont and Lombardy, the area surrounding
Lake Maggiore boasts many celebrated products, including Bettelmatt and gorgonzola
cheeses, chestnuts and rhododendron-flavoured honeys from Verbano and Varese, herb-
flavoured lard from Macugnaga and cured goat's leg from the Vigezzo Valley. To the
south, around Novara, farms cultivate innumerable rice varieties including the rare Black
Venus rice.
