It’s golden, grainy, sticky and tastes rather bland if served on its own. But the sheer versatility of polenta has transformed it into a culinary star, with Italy’s famed boiled cornmeal dish pairing nicely with an endless number of flavors. Toppings can include everything from venison, fish, rabbit, wild boar and braised veal to mushrooms, tomato...

If you’re making a list of the best Italian food in New Hampshire, this hidden gem in Bennington had better be on it. I’m talking about Alberto’s Italian Restaurant in Bennington, NH. Or Bat’s, if you’re a local. They bill themselves in a very tongue-and-cheek way as “Best Food By a Dam Site,” due to the fact that they’re a stone’s throw from the M...

What is Pesto? So you’ve decided to venture into the world of Italian cuisine, and you’ve stumbled upon pesto sauce – a herby condiment that has graced dishes for generations. The aroma of fresh basil and the delicate combination of garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil make this green gold a delicious and versatile addition to pasta, s...

Dino’s Italian Bistro is located at 1900 Memorial Hwy., Shavertown, PA. From the moment you enter the door, Dino’s staff greets you at their counter which highlights their plethora of pizza and Italian cuisine offerings. Their open floor plan allows for many comfortable seating options, with an aroma of freshly made pizza to compliment the experien...

Native to the Mediterranean basin, agretti (Salsola soda) is a crop particularly beloved by Italians, who both forage for and cultivate it. Yet the needle-like leaves (similar to chives) of this vegetable –also known as saltwort or monk’s beard (from the Italian barba di frate) – remain a rare sight on British menus. Its succulent leaves – which ta...

It's a celebration for burrata lovers. Two companies, one from Noci and one from Putignano, have brought Puglia to victory, declaring in an international competition the best burratas in the world. It's a unique coincidence to see two brothers on the podium: the Delizia company from Noci, ranked first, is led by Giovanni D'Ambruoso, while second pl...

What I love about Italy is that every holiday is a big event and comes with great Italian food. At Christmastime, for instance, the stores are filled with panettone, a sweet bread full of candied fruit. Around carnevale -- a pre-Lent blowout that lasts from one day to one month, depending on where you live -- you can find deep-fried strips of dough...

Join co-host John M. Viola, as he broadcasts directly from the vibrant heart of New Orleans, where the Italian American St. Joseph’s Society’s parade and feast ignite the city with cultural pride. Listen in as he sits down with dear friends and prominent figures in the Italian American community—Brendan Young, Tony Mangia, and Chef David Greco of M...

Easter breads are highly anticipated in Italy. Easter follows the Lenten fast which used to prohibit the eating of not only meat, but dairy as well. As a result, Easter menus were plentiful in eggs and butter, and easter breads have a coveted brioche-like quality to them. Regional differences and personal preferences dictate the symbolism of each t...

The Amalfi Coast represents a mirabile example of how the agricultural landscape can characterize a geographic area. The sweet degrading of the terraced gardens with lemon groves, the evocative contrast of colors between the green of the leaves and the blue of the sea, the penetrating scent of zagare (lemon blossoms), make the Amalfi Coast a unique...