Travel. Food. Photo. Italy.

My month in Italy was an adventure centred around eating – regularly, indulgently, eating. As a result, this edition of Travel. Food. Photo. is kinda epic. I just had to taste all the glorious flavours that have radiated from this relatively small country and influenced deliciousness across the world.

Each region of Italy offers specialty produce and a different favourite dish, so I’ve arranged this post into regions. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

In Rome

My first ever gluten-free ice-cream cone and first taste of my new favourite gelato flavour, fruiti de bosco.

Cooking dried pasta at ‘home’ to save money for the other foody regions we were still to encounter.

Sharing chocolate mousse with a touch of lime.

Smelling the goodness of pizzerias on almost every city block.

In Perugia, Umbria

Hard cheeses and pepperoni from the local deli. Killer affogato from the gelataria near the historical centre look out.

A starting selection of ten local meats – wow – and my first Italian gluten-free pasta (with black truffles mind you).

In Florence and Lucca, Tuscany

City market produce fit for a royal picnic. Beef Carpaccio, arancini, mussels on every menu, gluten-free risotto with a many many cheeses.

My first gluten-free Italian pizza!!!!!!!!

Tiramisu, Pecan pie, fruit flans, custard tarts, biscotti, limoncello and more gelato – oh so sweet, oh so good!

In Bologna and Parma, Emilia-Romagna

The famous, buttery, satin-like, Parma ham served with fresh rockmelon. This was a bit of a ham revolution for me!

Slow cooked pork cheek with Modena balsamic (from the neighbouring town and home of Balsamic Vinegar), beef ragu, green pasta lasagne and beef Carpaccio.

Perfect bolognaise (ragu) named after the city from where it originated – Bologna.

Bresaola with lime and parmesan. 

White pizza made with such care and quality ingredients that it only needs mozzarella on the baked dough.

Two-cheese tortellini with sauteed zucchini flowers. 

The best dessert I’ve ever had the delight to taste – mascarpone and fresh peach slices.

In Venice

Plenty more gluten-free pasta – trying to eat my fill before leaving Italy.

Seafood inspired markets and menus – cuttlefish, sardines, trout, sea bass, salmon, sole.

Gnocchi with five cheeses, grilled polenta and with salted cod.

Stay tuned for my soon-to-be published post about the amazing food of Bologna and Parma in Italy. My dining experiences there were just so special that they deserve a dedicated post!