A trip to Venice also means discovering culinary specialities.
Today, I've decided to tell you in detail about the various typical dishes of the city that you can try during your visit.
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Specialties in Venice: article summary
Specialties in Venice: Sarde in Saor
Sarde in Saor is one of Venice's most popular appetizers. The main ingredients are sardines, which for This dish is seasoned with onions and vinegar, pine nuts and raisins.
It's said that this dish was born out of the need to preserve fish for as long as possible, a result that was achieved by adding vinegar and onions. It's a perfect example of simple ingredients transformed into a delicious dish.
Le Baccala' Mantecato
Baccala is the Italian name for salted cod, and "mantecato" means "made creamy with butter". This dish is nothing more than a creamy fish spread!
Baccala' mantecato is eaten as a starter, usually with toasted bread. This dish is said to exist in Venice since the 1500s.
Specialties in Venice: Risi and Bisi
Risi e Bisi is a vegetarian rice dish and perhaps the best-known of all Venice's traditional specialties. The name identifies the dish's two main ingredients, rice and peas, which are a staple of the city's inhabitants, especially in the spring season.
Risi e Bisi was traditionally eaten on April 25, St. Mark's Day, patron saint of Venice, and prepared with rice from Verona and peas from Vicenza, usually offered to the Doge to mark the occasion. Risi e Bisi is very popular in Venice and I recommend you try this dish if you visit Venice.
The Bigoli in salsa
Bigoli in salsa is another very popular and ancient dish, but unlike risi e bisi, it was a plate for the poor, made up of two of the most common ingredients available in Venice: onion and sardines.
Bigoli in salsa is a pasta dish served as a main course. Bigoli being the name of a special type of pasta made in Venice and Veneto in particular.
Venice specialities: Lasagnetta al Nero di Seppia
Lasagnette al nero di seppia is a local pasta specialty, usually spaghetti or similar, served with squid inka plate with a soft, sweet taste.
The dish, offered as a main course, can be presented without pasta, with polenta, another staple of Venetian cuisine.
Be careful, if the taste of squid ink is mild, the stains it leaves on your clothes are tenacious! Take care when ordering, especially when serving to children.
Fritto Misto
Fritto Misto in Italian simply means "fried mixture". In Venice, these fried dishes are made up of small fish and seafood.
Fritto Misto can be ordered in restaurants. However, the most traditional way to eat it is in a scartosso (a paper cone). Afterwards, you can walk around with your meal and taste it while visiting the different areas of Venice.
The mixture usually contains sardines, squid, small fish and a few vegetables, all fried and served hot.
Venice specialties: Fegato alla Veneziana
Fegato alla Veneziana (Venetian-style liver) is a liver dish cooked with onions.
If you're not a fan of liver, I can only recommend that you try this dish.. In fact, you might be surprised at just how sweet and delicate this dish really is. A true delight.
Bussolai or Buranelli
Bussolai or Buranelli are cookies made in Buranoa charming little island opposite Venice, famous for its lace and rainbow-colored houses.
This dish is very easy to find in and around Venice. is the perfect accompaniment to coffee or tea.
Venice specialities: Fritole
Finally, you can try Fritole. This dish is another sweet Venetian creation, very popular in the carnival.
Made with eggs, flour, sugar and fried, they are served with custard or sabayon cream, perfect for carnival parties and to support Venetian winters!
Of course, as Venice is located in Italy, you can try the many other options the city has to offer. However, don't hesitate to try one of its dishes. You may be particularly surprised by the flavors they offer.
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