Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Germanic Food

With Slovenia on its eastern border and Austria to the north, it is not surprising to see the influences of these countries in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. As a direct result of its long connection with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the cuisine focuses on sauerkraut, potatoes, turnips, and savoury and sweet strudels, with an intriguing local boiled variation called strucolo. Friuli-Venezia Giulia boasts many other sweet cakes and desserts, including gubana, a spicy sweet bread with grappa. Spices such as paprika, poppy seeds, cinnamon, cumin and horseradish are used daily, and rice or polenta feature instead of pasta. The local speciality, frico, is seasoned salty cheese, cut into pieces and fried in butter. This is sometimes served with polenta, but can also be eaten on its own.