A Hearty Cuisine

The climate, landscape and history of the north-eastern corner of Italy have all contributed to create dishes that are very different to those of the Mediterranean south. Staples of the Italian menu, such as pasta, pizza, tomatoes and mozzarella, are very hard to find. Pasta is largely replaced by rice and polenta, and a great deal of meat is eaten, especially pork, game and poultry. The food tends to be creamy and rich, providing perfect warming sustenance for the population during the cold winters.