The Piedmont region has much to offer, but most people recognize it as a food and wine paradise. Piedmontese cooking is among the best of Italy's twenty regions. Great wines are produced in this region and it is no coincidence that Piedmont is the home of remarkable cuisine. The region's capital, and Chef Roberto Donna's home town, is Torino. Once known more for industry than food, wine and culture, Torino has become as much of a draw to the region as the white truffles located in nearby Alba.
Torino's Via Roma has various high-end shops, but the old Roman Quarter is home to a two-mile-long street of shops and boutiques that have stylish items for those seeking something ranging from elegant to funky and eclectic.
To some Torino's arcaded shopping streets, baroque and art nouveau architecture, and numerous museums are simply a backdrop to the abundant culinary delights of the region. In fact, food is so important to the local culture that Torino hosts the world's largest food and wine fair, the Salone del Gusto, each fall.
Foods produced in the region include porcini mushrooms, white truffles, and chestnuts. Specialties of the region include "agnolotti" pasta made with eggs and often stuffed with beef, pork, rabbit or cheese and herbs. Risotto dishes are another specialty, come in autumn and order risotto covered with truffles.
Bollito, one of Roberto's favorite dishes, is an assortment of boiled meats including pieces of pork, veal, turkey, beef and vegetables accompanied by "salsa verde", a green sauce made from parsley, garlic, breadcrumbs and olive oil.
Torino is also known as the capital of sweets. Pastries and chocolate abound including gianduia, a chocolate and hazelnut paste that is often used in candy making and other confections.
A nice Barolo or Barbaresco rounds out any visit to this region so be sure to leave room in your luggage to bring a taste of Piedmont home with you.
Plan a visit to Torino and the Piemonte region and enjoy! See Roberto's restaurant recommendations for restaurants in Piemonte and throughout Italy, and visit our friends at Seeyouinpiemonte.com for more information about the region.
