NEWS FROM : ITALY  

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...

Gaeta is a picturesque town on the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking natural landscapes, which make it a beloved tourist destination. Located in the Lazio region, in the province of Latina, Gaeta is strategically positioned northwest of Naples.  The town’s history goes all the way back to...

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...

Turin has been chosen as the Capital of Business Culture 2024. The candidacy had been launched in May, at the Book Fair, by Unione Industriali Torino as the promoting party. "Alongside the entrepreneurial legacy of which we are the custodians, the emphasis was placed on the future of our community, particularly the young generation: an approach tha...

On March 17, 1861, the Italian state was born in Turin following the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy with the coronation of Victor Emmanuel II. The official name given to the anniversary, as reported on the government website, is "Day of National Unity, Constitution, Anthem and Flag." On March 17, 1861 in Parliament it was announced, "The Sena...

About 20 miles southwest of the town of Siena in the magical land of Tuscany lies a town called Chiusdino, where a true tale of a knight and his sword in the stone is strikingly similar to the Arthurian tale of King Arthur. A valiant knight born in 1148 by the name of Galgano Guidotti renounced his life as a knight and became a hermit and saint. A...

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...

The head-sized citrus and super fruit cedro. The sweet, fragrant onions from Tropea. The spicy, smoky, spreadable ‘nduja. The piquant pepperoncini. Calabria’s cuisine is born on the backs of its stellar ingredients–cooked into rich stews, baked into simple breads, and melted into pasta sauces. Calabrian food is no-frills stuff.  Tomatoes and eggpla...

In Naples, the tarallo, or as they say in the local dialect "o' tarall' nzogna e pepe" (which means lard and pepper), represents a real institution, a traditional street food born in the 17th century as a poor tavern food and now evolved into an excellent product for quality aperitifs. Imagine savoring it while strolling along the waterfront, with...

The disappearing art of truffle hunting is facing a new and “grave threat” from winemakers in northern Italy. The rare white Alba truffle and Piedmont red wines are among the region’s most prized products, and have been sourced in happy proximity for decades. But winemakers in the Langhe area of Piedmont are now eyeing up the shadier side of the hi...