Typical food of Verona

The gastronomy of Verona: A journey of unique flavors.

Every city of art in Italy has its gastronomic "treasures ", and Verona is no exception.
A romantic city, ancient and full of history, but also with a surprising culinary culture.

Before we talk about food, there's something you should know: 📌 Verona is very famous for its red wine.

🍷 Verona wine: A must on the table.

The most emblematic wine of the region is Valpolicella, and you will find it everywhere.

The three best-known varieties are:

Valpolicella Classico 🍇: The most traditional and light version.
Valpolicella Ripasso** 🍷: More intense and with a greater complexity of flavors.
Amarone della Valpolicella 🏅: The king of Venetian wines, one of the most prestigious and expensive reds in Italy.

📌 Tip: Knowing these wines will help you understand some of Verona's traditional recipes.

🔗 **If you want to know more, here is an article dedicated to Verona wines.

🍽️ Northern Italian cuisine.

The gastronomy of northern Italy is very different from that of central and southern Italy.
Here pasta and pizza are not so traditional, while polenta is a staple dish in many recipes.

🌽 About polenta....

Italians from the south sometimes call "polentoni " to those from the north.
Those from the north, instead, call "terroni " to those from the south.
📌 Both terms are derogatory, so better not to use them in Italy! 😅

Other key ingredients of Veronese cuisine are: ✔ Potatoes 🥔, used to make gnocchi.
✔ Rice 🍚, the base of risotto.
✔ Meat and vegetables, prepared in tasty and traditional recipes.

📌 Veronese cuisine is not well known outside Italy, so be prepared to be surprised by authentic flavors.

🍛 Typical dishes of Verona that you must try.

🔹 Risotto all'Amarone.

One of the most famous dishes of Verona.
The secret is in the combination of two local ingredients:

🍷 Amarone della Valpolicella 🍚 Vialone Nano, a type of rice perfect for risotto, which absorbs liquids and flavors to perfection.

📌 This risotto is a unique experience for lovers of good wine and Italian cuisine.

🔹 Pastissada de Caval con Polenta.

This dish can be controversial, as the main ingredient is horse meat 🐎.

📜 History: In Verona, horse meat is a very old tradition, and Pastissada is one of its most iconic preparations.
The meat is simmered until it melts into a thick and flavorful sauce, perfect with polenta.

It's a recipe with a history, but we understand it's not for everyone's taste.

🔹 Risotto al Tastasal

Another risotto, but this time with fresh spicy salami 🌶️.

📜 Origin of the name: Tastasal in dialect means "taste the salt ", as this dish was used to check if the seasoning of the salami was right before letting it mature.

📌 An explosion of flavor in every bite..

🔹 Polenta e Osei.

📌 *Beware of this name, because it can lead to confusion.

In Verona, "osei " means small birds, such as thrushes or robins, which are slow-cooked on a spit or pan with tocino, butter and sage. They are served on a base of warm golden polenta.

🔹 But attention:. In Bergamo there is a dessert called "Polenta e Osei ", but it has nothing to do with this savory dish.

🔹 Gnocchi.

The gnocchi are a specialty of northern Italy, especially in Veneto and Trentino.

🥔 They are made with a potato and flour dough, with a traditional shape striated on one side and concave on the other.
This allows them to better absorb the sauce, which makes them even more delicious.

In Verona you will find them with Castelmagno cheese and sometimes with truffle.

🍽️ *Would you like to try them at home? Here is a recipe for homemade gnocchi.
📌 My personal recommendation: try the pumpkin gnocchi, they are even more delicious! ** **My personal recommendation: try the pumpkin gnocchi, they are even more delicious!

🔹 Pandoro: Verona's star dessert.

If you've never heard of Pandoro, get ready to meet one of Italy's most famous desserts.

📜 Origin:. The name "Pandoro" literally means "gold leaf ", and it is the most representative dessert of the Veneto region.

🎄 During Christmas, in Italy there is always a debate about Pandoro vs Panettone.
(If you ask me, I choose Pandoro without hesitation 😋).

📌 Best accompaniment for Pandoro. A good egg and mascarpone cream. If you have never tried it, I recommend this recipe.

🍷 The wines of Valpolicella: how to choose the best one

To conclude, here is a quick guide on the wines of Valpolicella, so you can choose the most suitable one.

✔ Valpolicella Classico 🍷: Light version, ideal to accompany simple meals.
✔ Valpolicella Ripasso 🍷: More structured and full-bodied, with a sweeter touch.
✔ Amarone della Valpolicella 🏅: The king of Verona wines, with 16 degrees alcohol and an intense flavor.

📌 Interesting fact:. Valpolicella wines are made from three native grapes of Verona, which are hardly grown anywhere else in the world.

📍 Conclusion: Bon voyage and bon appetit!

Now that you have this gastronomic guide, you are ready to explore the authentic flavors of Verona.
📌 My recommendation: Don't limit yourself to typical Italian restaurant dishes abroad.

🔗 If you want more about Verona and its gastronomy, join our free walking tour.

🎉 Enjoy the city, the good wine and the amazing Veronese food! 🍷🍽️