When visiting the stunning Lake Garda region in Italy, you’ll be treated to a culinary experience that showcases the best of local ingredients and traditional recipes. Here are 7 dishes you simply must try:
1. Bigoli con le Sarde del Garda
This classic dish features bigoli, a thick, extruded egg pasta, paired with fresh sardines caught from the lake. The simple yet flavorful combination is a staple of Garda Veneto cuisine.
2. Risotto con la Tinca
Risotto made with the tender, delicate meat of the tench fish, a freshwater species native to Lake Garda, is a beloved local specialty. The risotto is often served with a glass of crisp Garda white wine.
3. Risotto all’Amarone
This rich and decadent risotto is cooked with the renowned Amarone della Valpolicella red wine, which lends its bold, velvety flavor to the dish. The rice used is the Vialone Nano variety, grown in the Verona area, and the dish is finished with Monte Veronese cheese.
4. Carbonèra
A traditional polenta dish from the northern shores of Lake Garda, Carbonèra features layers of creamy polenta interspersed with three different cheeses from the nearby Monte Baldo region, all drizzled with the area’s prized extra virgin olive oil.
5. Cassata Gardesana
This sweet treat is the Garda version of the classic Sicilian cassata, made with ricotta, honey, and candied fruit. The unique twist is the addition of a drizzle of the lake’s renowned extra virgin olive oil, which enhances the flavors.
6. Bigoli con le Sardine
Similar to the Bigoli con le Sarde, this dish features the traditional Venetian bigoli pasta paired with fresh sardines from Lake Garda. It’s a simple yet delicious representation of the lake’s bounty.
7. Risotto con Tinca
Another variation on the risotto with tench fish, this dish showcases the delicate, tender meat of the tench in a creamy, flavorful risotto. It’s a must-try for any visitor to the Lake Garda region.
These seven dishes offer a comprehensive taste of the diverse and delectable cuisine that Lake Garda has to offer. Whether you’re enjoying a lakeside meal or recreating these specialties at home, they are sure to transport you to the stunning shores of this Italian gem.
References:
https://www.beeboatservice.com/blog/typical-food-of-lake-garda
https://www.gardavisit.it/en/slow-food-restaurants-on-lake-garda/