Typical dishes of Florence
Florence and the Tuscany region can boast of having one of the best cuisines of Italy, tasting the local cuisine is an unforgettable experience. Florentine cuisine is simple and abundant; based on local products, meats, olive oil extra virgin, bread and wine. But how do you know what to eat in Florence? Read on and find out the essential and most delicious recipes.
- The antipasti or entremeses: There is no a good dish in Italy that does not begin with some antipasti. The most traditional is Affetatti misti, which is a plate of sausages with salad that sometimes includes cheese. The fettunta are thick slices of bread with olive oil, lightly toasted. It is typical in November when the olives are harvested and the oil is produced, to enjoy the distinctive taste of fresh oil. In summer, they usually add sliced tomatoes and winter they are part of Lumbarda soup. The Bacelli e pecorino is a simple beans salad with delicious dice pecorino cheese, dressed with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- The main course: The Pappardelle sulla Lepre is a delicious dish made with a kind of thick strips of fresh pasta on a hare sauce. The Stracciatella is a beef soup with almonds, eggs, bread and Parmesan cheese. Serve very hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
- The second main: The famous Bistecca alla fiorentina is a thick grilled steak, toasted on the outside but tender and tasty inside. The arista is a roasted pork tenderloin with a nice sauce of basil, garlic, sage and red wine. Chicken alla fiorentina are crunchy pieces of chicken breast coated with a mixture of spinach, Parmesan cheese, onion, garlic and parsley. Fish lovers can try the calamari in zimino, very fresh squid cooked with spinach and tomatoes.
- Desserts: The schiaccata alla fiorentina is a thick cake of sweet bread typical of Carnival. The sweet teeth have it filled with cream or chocolate. There is a very nice variation made with rich red wine grapes dipped in sugar. The fritelle are donuts made with ricotta cheese that are eaten on the feast of San José. Eat them with Vin Santo sweet wine, delicious! The castagnaccio is pie made by chestnut flour, olive oil, raisins and pine nuts. Chestnuts are one of the regional products that are used in many recipes. Make sure to try some.
Finally, following the Italian custom, you should try some local cheeses like ricotta di pecora fresca and the pecorino. Florentines like to eat as a snack or light lunch panini di trippa, which are snacks of some kind of tripe. Not suitable for the most sophisticated stomachs, but you are welcome to try them.
Elena Alvarez
Enjoy the delicious Florentine cuisine and stay in one of our apartments in Florence Visit a local market and buy yourself the ingredients to cook dishes we suggested.
