Exploring Italian Food & Culture
Food is a vital part of Italian culture and here you'll discover regional cuisine, holiday and special occasion recipes and cultural rules and guidelines.
The Recipe Finder
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![Rosemary Focaccia on a cooling rack](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/Jui_Ju6Po6HSHV0TcTRV1lyznyE=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/rosemary-focaccia-recipe-5204128-hero-012-500f5a7fea8946fc8a3927eaec074082.jpg)
Rosemary Focaccia Recipe
![Pancetta](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/0BxT-fahxsTfvvR7E2eFor9Rj3k=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/what-is-pancetta-5086110-210cd371b28549d19867c515ab1ba3a0.jpg)
What Is Pancetta?
![Antipasti platter](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/Z-VK4Y2NqFZK1VfLL8FjlP32JPU=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/antipastiThurtell-eba53562e97649a383b3bc3356b0a77d.jpg)
What Is Antipasto?
![Bottarga](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/gsHThY3G_W9y6mmn9TeZt5Ow9OA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/what-is-bottarga-5114487-hero-01-b4341342078e426b9abf9d206adc2eb8.jpg)
What Is Bottarga?
![Colatura](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/645QBgQxJ56NgkljtZQTG0R55FE=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/casafacilefelice-452f14f3eede4f5994e55b6baed0df68.jpg)
What Is Colatura?
![New Haven white clam apizza on a pizza peel](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/CwgLLYKaBlFnuz_vtaSxNHRpWQ8=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/newhavenapizzasbossert-8ec550b467d24ad09f90a849d8deef80.jpg)
What Is Apizza?
![Balsamic vinegar in a glass bowl](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/G6nODxAzYDp-a4SPppgEUjhW3aI=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/balsamicvinegargaryomblerGettyImages-108911955-596a1dfe5f9b582c357143f1.jpg)
What Is Balsamic Vinegar?
![Food stand in Florence, Italy](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/nEAc6mKbBXqHWfJ-EqakY8oFfHE=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/atlantide-57c435493df78cc16e6d1390.jpg)
Trippa - Tripe in Traditional Italian Cuisine
![Pickled vegetables in glass jars](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/KFqmHngY3ySJrXaIATQsV6fI_KQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sandra-ivany-57eec6365f9b586c357c5eca.jpg)
Italian-Style Pickled and Oil-Packed Vegetables (Sottoli and sottaceti)
![Homemade liqueurs](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/-suoth3sE39jeRm0XPulpEFbTew=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/helovi-57eedeeb3df78c690f3073ce.jpg)
Homemade Italian Liqueurs
![Roast Chestnuts in the Oven recipe](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/t7wKqPg0fOi3xkVMzDLcxJXyotA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-roast-chestnuts-in-oven-4113870-hero-01-99aac66246794321be70dc5a45934446.jpg)
Oven-Roasted Chestnuts
![A bowl of mascarpone cheese](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/N9V2jIS-YONyHSuifv-UYq2u2WA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SES-what-is-mascarpone-cheese-591332-hero-03-5b564ecf68374d1abe9b3f02ad31d04a.jpg)
What Is Mascarpone Cheese?
![Parmigiano-Reggiano](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/x4fBIo2Z-FLenW0xy-naQPIuCi8=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/parmigiano-reggiano1500-56a125ac5f9b58b7d0bc7808.jpg)
Serving and Cooking With Parmigiano-Reggiano
![mozzarella cheese illustrated explainer](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/yj1kp0tUJd7cpjVfZJ6n7QgeuZ0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MozzarellaCheese1807036_color_4-e1ac357a7cb4409c80605673e81d85d0.png)
What Is Fresh Mozzarella Cheese?
Alpine Cheese
![Grana Padano](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/I388Mabo1s52dDrYGRjplHzqgLs=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Grana-Padano1500-56a125cb5f9b58b7d0bc792e.jpg)
Grana Padano Cheese
![Sottocenere cheese (Italian)](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/O3cwtkb6DhXOWYZ2trEhunpDR9U=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Sottocenere1500-56a126083df78cf77267d829.jpg)
Italian Truffle Cheese (Sottocenere)
![La Tur cheese](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/dWZIKpzyn-04k81HAhLGbK1e4zc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/LaTur1500-56a125b03df78cf77267d41d.jpg)
La Tur Cheese
![Provolone cheese on a wooden cutting board with a knife](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/xdUiCh-J01oM0_P_vMb4tZY_iX0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/157433201-56a126585f9b58b7d0bc806b.jpg)
Provolone Piccante Cheese
![Grana Padano cheese, crumbled](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/-IUdDQWTjxajQnxa-OYdFtfY-XI=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-596097762-57ebfaae5f9b586c3577d730.jpg)
Parmesan Cheese Substitutes
![Balsamic vinegar](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/ecvwIvR1AVFulmZFxvuELj-ICl4=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-91995113-5a3c31777d4be8003631c025.jpg)
Learn the Correct Way to Select and Store Balsamic Vinegar
![Homemade ricotta cheese recipe](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/hVF2bvoMTUCq_Ue5LvwJtgQgd-o=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/homemade-ricotta-cheese-recipe-591554-hero-01-84c8381860c941b68287296ea805b3cd.jpg)
Homemade Ricotta Cheese With Buttermilk
![Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori in Florence, Italy](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/kCanne0W7wsjYnNARK-mPtI9J4g=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/osteriavinivecchisapori-Gary-Yeowell-sm-56a53a325f9b58b7d0dba03e.jpg)
A Food Lover's Guide to Florence, Italy
![illustration featuring facts about amaretto](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/I7U4LW4Be-yP550Px3ZaaWVB1RE=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SpruceEatsLiqueur-sketch-760248-V3-e32b46bed2c648ab9a300b225fc9fd3c.jpg)
What Is Amaretto Liqueur?
![Zeppole di Giuseppe cream filled doughnut recipe](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/5ncUE30E5bFCN4dLbXqw0ITXA7k=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/zeppole-di-san-giuseppe-cream-filled-doughnuts-2019129-hero-01-5ccc055eadea46d9a904b7d0f65fe49e.jpg)
Zeppole
![Ricotta Cheese](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/W99Vvd9feto5eWnQhO6Q4rWxutc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Baked-Ricotta1500-56a126093df78cf77267d83b.jpg)
What Is Baked Ricotta?
![Amaretto in a glass](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/q7-lLGYXhZJmt7s0utRTWI8qrCQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-182244404-5952c16f5f9b584bfe4529a3.jpg)
Amaretto Liqueur History
![](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/_BZpI8_2ELNoyOOX_jXCgB9Jr54=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/95767600-56a538fe5f9b58b7d0db9e35.jpg)
How to Make Polenta
![View of a mixed selection of cheeses - Swiss, gouda, Queso blanco, Bel Paese, and Crescenza, and mozzarella - arranged on a wooden cutting board with French bread and an onion, 2004.](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/evFL9CJ7gWgbAqsC2ViRPvzvomk=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/107316590-56a1255d3df78cf77267d1e4.jpg)
Stracchino di Crescenza
![Easy Traditional Risotto](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/dohmfHeufqBR5ct_qHf7jUOnv1E=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/easy-traditional-risotto-482853-Hero_05-537d4fc9d9074648a1cde741c66d490e.jpg)
Easy Traditional Risotto
![Fresh Mozzarella Slices](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/YDPqG7Q4IN6K15HkHTN6qBl9fVA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fresh-mozzarella-slices-154947518-582dd1b55f9b58d5b172bbc3.jpg)
The 6 Types of Mozzarella Cheese
![Ossobuco and Milanese-style saffron risotto](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/dZQbqFB_BkS-Yz5liRaDBbL3Ks0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/william-shaw-578fa3bd3df78c09e9444e7d.jpg)
The Cuisine of Milan
![Sicilian Pizza](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/L6YlaAPX4LBJVg4ykd-j-1XVl7o=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sicilian-pizza-86505330-57965df73df78ceb8631945d.jpg)
What Is Sicilian Pizza?
![The four regions of Central Italy](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/JBAHlTSZkAyMwhIO0WEfl7PoqaQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/central-italy-5799ee145f9b589aa9c9b4aa.png)
Central Italian Cuisine by Region
![Italian salumi](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/cxtXcK9j5cZyeDAUQ3DFBc3_038=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/John-Anthony-Rizzo-5746f0703df78c6bb077d243.jpg)
A Guide to Italian Salami, Charcuterie, and Cold Cuts
![Strips of baccala laid out for sale](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/YjSuk2NGWw2eutjOhL2oV0K-bGk=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-724230895-598b20fc054ad900114313c6.jpg)
Recipes for Baccala: Italian-Style Salt Cod
![Easy Baked Polenta With Parmesan Cheese](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/UXsYTaXjGrM4c7NcqzB-QBv8xdI=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/easy-baked-polenta-with-parmesan-cheese-3057179-hero-01-5c291853c9e77c0001b19643.jpg)
Baked Polenta With Parmesan Cheese
![Bresaola with arugula and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/FJexIpNSV6qoWLKCsNK1J4AQzxg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/galya-ivanova-582deca45f9b58d5b18111e6.jpg)
What Is Bresaola?
![Beetroot soup with slice of ash-dusted goats cheese on top](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/iLkjVfQImTN2xdCLaArSD5ooTeQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/beetroot-soup-with-slice-of-ash-dusted-goats-cheese-on-top-135584799-584714283df78c0230ad6287.jpg)
How Ash Is Used in Cheesemaking
![Spaghetti aglio olio e peperoncino, served with grated ricotta salata](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/FuXmvtRxChPGu7ClSumvyS5bmPg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spaghetti-aglio-olio-e-peperoncino-served-with-grated-ricotta-salata-562483631-58473b615f9b5851e581be29.jpg)
Ricotta Salata Is a Versatile Cheese to Finish a Dish
Burrata Cheese
![Marinara Sauce](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/n6T8g0VGk7pxo-1PBWYa9y8eHNU=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/michaelwaring-56f966e63df78c78419331b4.jpg)
Salsa di Pomodoro alla Napolitana (Neapolitan-Style Marinara Sauce) Recipe
![Four-Cheese Pasta Sauce Recipe](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/d0acUVC-ilH3M7k0CmD4cnJkEBM=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/four-cheese-pasta-sauce-2018453-step-07-5b8e4139a69f4490bc0a803863ed65da.jpg)
How to Cook Pasta for Perfect Results Every Time
![Gran Gala Triple Orange Liqueur](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/CRAtemGp8nOc69pu_-MLiEt1gV0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gran-gala-orange-liqueur-review-760647-010-78dd8433a00e4ed590f6a12a698877fd.jpg)
What Is Gran Gala Orange Liqueur?
![Daughter presenting an Italian Easter cake to her family](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/iGthQoxxifTW37t08dMXyav__BQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SofieDelauwdaughterpresentingitalianeastercake-5c0810e8c9e77c0001243de8.jpg)
A Typical Italian Easter Dinner
![Homemade Panini Bread](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/nf0OSun3Wxre-sQEfe9hBJWiTYA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/homemade-panini-bread-recipe-2394316-hero-01-0891974be61142a298fbc871f7d9b6eb.jpg)
Homemade Panini Bread
![Robiola](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/lP1pnkJx-lB4RQSJngnHxQJzu8I=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-93604994-5c1a9f13c9e77c0001eeb1ca.jpg)
Robiola Rocchetta Italian Cheese
![How to Eat Spaghetti: Wrong!](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/LTlti11qytXEkVUtxuD_vFSsjLw=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/eatingpastawrong-56a538e85f9b58b7d0db9dea.jpg)
How to Eat Spaghetti Like an Italian
![Meat for sale at a market in Italy](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/upOZ45tQZOkgKa4_EwlN1T91YOM=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-746096539-5a4e7ae4c7822d00377ef7d5.jpg)
10 Classic Italian Pork Dishes
![Homemade crispy frappe, thin pieces of fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/n0TjwRR5eZXeYat5uUzab2dyPPU=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/homemade-frappe--italian-dessert-for-carnival--916491852-5a95ee82875db9003710d78c.jpg)
Traditional Italian Carnival Foods