Risotto and the Veneto Region Italian Food
The Italian food of the Veneto region poses a perplexing question: With so many dishes to choose from, how can anyone have only one favorite? Given the great regional variations within the region, not to mention between Veneto and the rest of the country, there are a lot of unique dishes waiting for you to discover them. However, if risotto is something you crave, Veneto is definitely for you.
One of the most recognized Italian food dishes is Risotto and because of that Veneto is a must stop region for those travelers in Italy wanting to taste some excellent Italian food.
Risotto is a specific way of cooking rice, and is growing in popularity to take it’s rightful place alongside pasta in the pantheon of Italian food, like many specialties of the Veneto region. To make a true risotto, the rice must first be cooked in olive oil or butter.
The rice must be stirred so that it is evenly coated with the oil or butter, and cooked until it starts to become translucent. Once that has been achieved, broth is slowly (and I mean slowly, one spoonful at a time is traditional). One thing to keep in mind about risotto; the rice must be toasted, or no matter how good the result or how nice your local purveyor of Italian food may be, it’s just not risotto.
There are many different variations on risotto because it can be made and served with so many different Italian food favorites. In Veneto the ingredients added to the risotto are determined by location. For instance, in areas closer to the coast it will be made with fish and other seafood.
As you move in from the coast you will see risotto made with different vegetables like pumpkin, asparagus, and radicchio. It is also commonly seen made with frogs’ legs which appear in Italian food more than most people think.
The Veneto region is also home to some unique foods. The dishes here are heavier and rely on exotic spices and sauces. One unique dish that originated here and is quickly gaining popularity as an Italian food dish is pasta and beans. Beans are used in many dishes here due to their ready availability.
Anchovy, as well as stockfish are present in some dishes of the Veneto region. But the popularity of sausages dwarfs that of the humble anchovy, with the local dry-cured, pressed salami (sopressata) and garlic salami being special favorites.
Most commonly, sopressata is pork based, but beef variations exist as well. Garlic salami is another local favorite. The Italian food found in Veneto includes quite a lot of the local produce specialties; these include radicchio and their famed asparagus, along with young tender peas, paired with rice. This is an Italian food dish unique to Veneto.
As we have seen, the Italian food of Veneto differs from the stereotype of Italian food held by many. From rice and vegetable dishes to its famed sausages like sopressata, there is a lot to choose from. If it just isn’t Italian food to you unless risotto is served, or if you know your sausage, Veneto’s Italian food is the thing for you. With it’s great variety, Veneto has a dish that will please everybody.
Check out these great lobster risotto recipes and tips on how to prepare all types of seafood at http://www.weloveseafood.com
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