A lot of people seem to think that Italian food is all pizza and pasta, and for that very reason, they avoid it. “Oh my gosh, carbs like that? No, I could never! It will bloat me right up like overly stuffed ravioli, doll.”
Yes, them Italians love their pizza and their pasta, but they love so many other things too. Think basil; think spicy, smoked and peppered aged meats; think cheese, parmesan, ricotta, mozzarella and mascarpone. Think slow cooking, think fresh salads, think citrus; wine; tomato; garlic; shellfish; nuts; anchovies and more. Think delicious.
So to prove it, here are three of my favourite Italian recipes. And guess what, no pizza nor pasta in sight.
Region: Lombardy
Capital: Milan.
Traditionally veal shin, Ossobuco means “bone with a hole” referring to the marrow of the veal. The meat is browned, then everything is thrown in a pot and slow-cooked to perfection.
Region: Emilia-Romagne
Capital: Bologna
As the home of Bolognese, we can’t skip past this one, even though they are big pasta eaters (wait, aren’t they all?) This region prides itself on its pastas, cheeses, cured meats and of course, Bolognese. This said, it doesn’t have to be eaten on pasta, why not try cauliflower mash? Here’s a very simple cauli-mash recipe I wrote earlier. (I’ve always wanted to say that).
Region: Sicily
Capital: Palermo.
Another very simple dish, Veal Marsala is made up of tenderised veal cutlets, topped with a buttery, mushroom and marsala wine sauce. Delicious.
For more stunning flavour inspiration, check out Woolworths on: Pinterest and on Instagram @Woolworths_SA
