Everybody knows what Italy is famous for in the gastronomical sense: pizza and pasta. You have no idea what you are missing out on if you don’t try the traditional versions of these two famous dishes. However, when in Italy, make sure that you are paying attention to those smaller and less-known snacks that are equally or even more delicious. Usually, these types of Italian snacks can be found on the streets and they carry a certain flavour and make you feel a certain type of way with just one bite.
Keep in mind that for Italians, snacks do not equal crisps, popcorn, or other similar things. Even when they are snacking, they still make it stylish and enjoy a full meal experience. The only difference is that snacks simply come in bite sizes most of the time. So, it was about time you tried some of the tastiest snacks, both sweet and savory, that you can find on the beautiful streets of Italy. Some of the mentioned makers available on this page. Here we go!
Panini
The translation for the word “panino” means sandwich but Italians being Italians, made even a simple snack something to remember. A traditional panino is usually made with a special type of bread called ciabatta which contains yeast, olive oil, salt, wheat flour, and water. It’s simple yet delicious. The bread needs to be cut horizontally and then filled with all types of pieces of heaven: mozzarella, prosciutto, rucola, salami, etc. Usually, you can serve it warm for an even more explosive flavour. Panini can be found pretty much everywhere in Italy but probably the best place to try one is around the Milan area. The classic traditional panino is made with warm and crisp ciabatta bread and filled with mozzarella, prosciutto crudo, lettuce, and olive oil.
Tramezzino
Another iteration of a panino is a tramezzino which has all of its ingredients apart from the ciabatta bread. Instead, it is made with soft bread that has no crust and it is never consumed warm or toasted. You can find those sandwiches around the Turin area where they originated from and some fillings include mayonnaise and tuna, besides the classic ones.
Pastiera
If you happen to find yourself in Italy around Easter time, you will certainly want to try out pastiera. This is a small cake or a tart that people are usually eating during the Easter celebrations. While it may be more difficult to come across outside this period, if you search very well, you will still find it. Pastiera is made from an ancient recipe that dates all the way back to the Roman Empire and contains orange blossom essence, ricotta cheese, and wheat.
Another legend says that the pastiera was invented in a convent during the times of Napoleon. A nun supposedly wanted a cake that would remind her of the orange blossoms in the convent’s garden for Easter. This is how she thought of mixing all of the above ingredients and came up with this special tart. A good pastiera cake should crumble in your mouth and leave an orange blossom aftertaste. Don’t miss it while in Italy!
Panzerotto
A panzerotto is a smaller version of a calzone which is also made with dough that is softer. A calzone looks like an envelope and the dough it’s made of is similar to the pizza one. Usually, the fillings include mozzarella, prosciutto, tomato, mushrooms, etc. Their place of birth is the region of Apulia but nowadays, everyone can enjoy a panzerotto wherever they are in Italy. Do you want to try the best ones? My tip is to go to Milan and you will not regret it.
Cannoli
Those small tubes with sweet and creamy fillings originated from Sicily but can now be found all over Italy. The actual translation for the word cannolo is “small tube” which is an accurate representation. This delicious dessert is made with fried dough, which is the cannolo itself, and the creamy filling is made with sweet ricotta cheese. Dehydrated fruit like oranges or limes along with chocolate are two other common ingredients for cannoli.
A while back, the people of Palermo, Sicily, were cooking and enjoying this dessert during the time of the carnival as a symbol of fertility. As the years went by, cannoli became more and more known all over the country and adored by many.
Bruschette
You may have already heard of the antipasto snack called bruschetta. It is as simple as it is delicious and beloved by many people all over the world, not only Italians. It is basically a slice of grilled bread that is rubbed with garlic plus olive oil, dried tomatoes, pepper, and salt. During the aperitivo, it’s mandatory that you have at least a bruschetta.
There are a lot of iterations of the bruschetta. For example, the Fettunta one comes from Tuscany and contains only grilled bread and olive oil. The Ventricina comes from Abruzzo and contains salami. Regardless of your choice, there is no way that you will eat a bad bruschetta in Italy. They are all delicious!
Crocchette
Crocchette are actually Italian croquettes that can be done in multiple ways, including with potatoes and chicken meat. Crocchette di patate e parmigiano are traditionally made with Parmigiano-Reggiano, potatoes, salt, eggs, flour, pepper, olive oil, and breadcrumbs. Once the croquettes are done and the ingredients are mixed, they need to be fried until golden. Italians usually eat them with lemon wedges as an everyday snack.
The recipe for crocchette di pollo e ricotta originates from the Piemonte area and is very popular in Turin. It is almost the same as the potato one with the difference that the mixture also contains sage, lemon juice, onions, and parsley. They are usually consumed at room temperature during the summer and warm during the winter.
Arancini
Arancini or arancini al burro are a Sicilian treat. In short, they are medium-sized rice balls that are deep-fried and stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella, and béchamel sauce. The crispy batter on the outside makes them so crisp and nice. But why are they called al burro if they don’t contain any butter I hear you ask? Well, the name comes from back in the day when the only stuffing for the arancini was butter because it maintained the rice soft. Nowadays, the fillings have evolved along with the deliciousness.
Arancini al cioccolato
These deep-fried balls can also be served as a sweet snack. For these ones, you need to cook the rice with sugar and milk. Once that is done, the fillings can be anything from chocolate and vanilla to butter, cinnamon, and grated lemon zest. You can also eat them as dessert after a good traditional meal.
Salvia fritta
This is an extremely simple snack but a very appreciated one, not only by Italians but by tourists alike. Everyone in the country eats it and consists of medium-sized sage leaves (with the stems intact) with olive oil covered in a batter made with flour, egg whites, olive oil, and salt. They are deep-fried in oil and enjoyed as a quick snack with sprinkled salt on top. Italians like to enjoy salvia fritta with a glass of prosecco. What’s not to like?
Crema fritta
The Veneto area has made this snack popular throughout the entire country. It is a very simple recipe that consists of chilled egg custard blocks with lemon or vanilla, covered in batter, cut in squared or diamonds, and deep fried. Usually, Italians enjoy this dessert during the Carnival season or the Christmas season. A glass of sweet wine is the perfect companion for this type of snack.
Sgagliozza
As bizarre as the name of this snack may sound, it actually consists of pieces of fried polenta. It comes from the Bari region and is made with, obviously, polenta which is made with polenta flour, oil, salt, and water. In and around Bari, you will find this delicious snack sold on the streets during the winter and served incredibly hot. Traditionally, it is also served during the St. Nicholas mass at the St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Borlengo
One of the most appreciated snacks in Italy, borlengo is actually the Italian version of a pancake or a crêpe. They are only made with flour, eggs, milk, and salt and are huge. It can be difficult to eat a borlengo on the street but those delicious fillings consisting of garlic, bacon fat, and rosemary are worth the trouble. You can even top them with grated cheese and enjoy them on the go. Back in the day, those pancakes were only made with flour and water and eaten by the poor people or the peasants. Now, they have turned into delicacies.
Summary
From savory to sweet, those Italian snacks are not only tasty but also have something special. They bring you parts of the country that are rich in history and culture and allow you to feel their energy through your taste buds. So, have you tried any of these Italian snacks? Which one is your favorite?
