12 Delicious Typical Italian Foods Every Tourist Must Try

italian food

Rubbing the tip of your index finger against your cheek is a sign you enjoy what you are eating and I have often found myself doing that here in Italy. From trying pastries to street food and real meals, I have largely loved most Italian foods, even if I consider some too salty or sugary. I hope we do share the same taste and you will find some typical Italian foods I will recommend great as well.

I am not going to be listing food like Lasagne, pizza, pasta, or every other common meal you probably had seen or read about abroad. My goal is to reveal to you what I have discovered myself – scouring the streets out of curiosity, trying recommendations from my Italian friends, and having meals with Italians.

So here are the typical Italian Foods:

12. Broscia

I had broscia almost every day all summer! Not only is it very filling but looking at gelato plastered in a cylinder heap inside the bread (called broscia) rekindled my love for gelato.

11. Frutta di Martorana

The surprise and pleasant feeling of biting into an apple only to discover it’s a sweet yummy pastry! I had my first trial of frutta di Martorana on all souls day. It originated in Palermo and many Southern Italians traditionally prepare it in the celebrations of the Feast of the Dead.

10. Panettone

Panettone is an Italian type of sweet bread originally from Milan, usually prepared and enjoyed for Christmas and New Year. It has the perfect taste between bread and cake. I will say it’s a bready-muffin. This is a typical Northern Italian Pastry.

9. Croceta

One of my favourite forms of eating mashed potatoes – soft and lush. It’s like a remake of potato puree in a slightly crunchy light brown shell. It is a typical Southern Italian Pastry.

8. Panelle

It has a similar taste to farinata. They are Sicilian fritters made from chickpea flour and other ingredients. It is a typical Southern Italian Pastry.

7. Farinata

Made from chickpea flour, it doesn’t look all that tasty or inviting but a bite will make you wonder how something can look so simple and yet tasty. It is a typical Northern Italian Pastry, I had a first taste of it in Savona.

6. Arancine

I remember my caption on Instagram the first time I had Arancina:

“If you are a lover of crunchy and rice, Aracina will give you goosebumps.”

Aracina or Arancine are stuffed rice balls coated with breadcrumbs deep fried. It is a typical Southern Italian Pastry.

5. Cannoli

I had my first trial of cannoli at Piana degli Albanesi, which is the typical town where it is said to have originated. Cannoli are must try for a ricotta cheese lover like me.

4. Tiramisu

The creaminess of tiramisu is *drooling*. Tiramisu is a popular coffee-flavoured Italian custard dessert. Even though I am not head over heels in love with coffee, I love Tiramisu still.

3. Pasta with Pesto

I just had to mention pasta for my love for pesto. I currently grow pesto and I have stubbornly refused to call it basil even after I was told severally it is basil and only becomes pesto after it is grounded smoothly.

2. Melanzane

In English melanzane means eggplants. You will be awed at how many delicious dishes this simple vegetable can accomplish. I have tried and I like Melanzane al Forno, Melanzane gratinate al parmigiano, Melanzane al parmigiano. My favourite is Melanzane al parmigiano.

1. Sicilian Burger Style

It is a panini (burger-shaped bread) stuffed with crocetta, panelle and melazane. It is tasty and you would commonly find it in Palermo.

Let me know when you try some of the typical Italian foods and give me your feedback. Let’s find out what taste we have in common!

Also, read local Milanese food to eat in Milan.

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