If you are planning a trip to Umbria, you will surely be enraptured by the beauty of this region and the various enchanting borghi, as we talked about in the previous articles, but without any doubt you will be truly speechless by the delicacy of the many excellent culinary products that you will taste. If you don’t know what to eat, don’t worry because we have compiled a list with the various unmissable products. So we can only wish you, buon appetito!!
- 1. La torta al testo
The torta al testo is not a dessert as the name can lead us to guess, but it is a type of flat unleavened bread typical of the Umbrian cuisine. It looks like it has the same texture as pizza dough but you can stuff it with cold cuts, cheese, vegetables, or meat. It’s really delicious, a must-try!!
- 2. Il tagliere di affettati
If you are in a trattoria or restaurant and you are undecided about what to eat, the tagliere di affettati is a must. In addition to the various cold cuts that are placed in such a perfect order on the cutting board, such as the super delicious Prosciutto Crudo di Norcia, salami, mortadella, bacon, there are also various cheeses such as pecorino, fresh ricotta, and provola cheese that can be dipped with some homemade jam or organic honey which is put on the side. The aroma, and the perfection of how the cold cuts and cheeses are placed on the plate, give the senses something that captures and overwhelms you. In addition to these, there is also bread bruschetta with tomatoes, truffles or cream cheese,
- 3. Gli strangozzi o stringozzi
If you are a pasta lover like us, and you love pasta in any way, you can’t do without this typical first course of Umbrian cuisine: gli strangozzi. They have an elongated and square shape, they can be seasoned with sauce, meat sauce, black truffles or pesto. A delicacy for the palate, it is so delicous, that you will surely eat another plate of pasta!
- 4. La pasta alla norcina
The main element of this pasta is the Norcia sausage accompanied by truffles. Obviously, not everyone likes the odor of truffles, but it is still worth tasting. The black truffle of Norcia is the finest one and it is harvested from November to March. It grows in woods located in the territory of Norcia, in Umbria, at an altitude between 400 and 800 meters. That’s why the truffle has a special connection with this region, Umbria.
The relationship between truffles and tourism is fundamental for those who visit Umbria; indeed the truffle has become a major tourist attraction. When visiting this area, it is almost obligatory to order a truffle dish, as it has become very common. The truffle is characterized by its pleasant and delicate smell of “undergrowth” that recalls the green Umbrian forests, as well as by a flavor reminiscent of the best mushrooms. Its peculiar flavor makes it a very versatile ingredient in the kitchen, which lends itself not only to classic elaborate dishes but also to faster and simpler recipes, such as finger food and appetizers for aperitifs. It is also important to emphasize that a truffle is an important vehicle for culture, tradition for the Umbrian region. Hopefully there will be an abundance to satisfy all palates, from the simplest to the most refined. It’s a must try.
- 5. Le pappardelle al cinghiale
Pappardelle al cinghiale is a typical dish of the Umbrian cuisine, the boar is a wild animal that mainly populates the hilly and mountainous areas of Umbria, and is found almost everywhere in central Italy, as in Marche, Tuscany, and Lazio.
Wild boar meat is characterized by a strong and decisive flavor, the pappardelle can find great admirers, but can also find people who are reluctant to taste this dish.
Umbria is renowned for its unique culinary tradition full of authentic flavors. Among the typical dishes that characterize Umbrian gastronomy, wild boar is a real tasty delight!
- 6. Il piccione
While we were in Orvieto, we came across a very nice restaurant. Opening the menu and reading the typical dishes of the day, we discovered that in Umbria people cook and eat il piccione, the pigeon.
In Umbria, the culinary tradition is rich in tasty and genuine dishes, and one of the most popular is certainly the pigeon in salmì. This recipe, with an intense and authentic flavor, involves a long and slow cooking of pigeons in a tasty mix of typical Umbrian ingredients. The spices, onions, herbs and red wine blend with the meat and give this dish a unique taste. The Umbrian pigeon salmì is a real delicacy for lovers of traditional cuisine and some of the dishes we just mentioned tell the story of the Umbrian territory. Prepared with care and patience, this dish gives authentic flavors and a delicious gastronomic experience, recalling the traditions of the past.
We didn’t taste it because it didn’t really attract us. Those who have tasted it, say that it is very good, we don’t know, we’ll leave it to you and let us know!!
- 7. Olio extra vergine di oliva
Umbrian oil is characterized by its enveloping aroma that can range from fresh grass, to almonds, to artichokes. It also has a fruity and intense flavor with more or less delicate notes of bitterness and spiciness.
This oil owes part of its taste and properties to the uniqueness of the territory that is home to centuries-old olive trees and the climate that distinguishes it. The hilly soils from which these olive trees grow (especially those between Assisi and Spoleto) are not very fertile, stony, calcareous, poor in water and rather difficult to cultivate, but perfect for this strong plant. Their permeability, in fact, allows the roots of the plant to penetrate, allowing it to absorb the nutrients it needs.
Umbria has almost 7.5 million olive trees covering about 30 thousand hectares. The most cultivated varieties are mostly Moraiolo, Frantoio and Leccino, the first two are the most widespread especially in the Trevi area, the Leccino instead originated from Tuscany.
After this brief excursus of the most common Umbrian foods, now you just have to take a trip to Umbria and taste these typical, incredible, tasty culinary meals.
Buon appetito!
Two Sisters On The Road 