Piedmont is the northwestern region of Italy that borders Switzerland and France. This hidden gem of a region is known for its many beauties, such as its stunning alpine scenery, rich culinary traditions, rare white truffles, and so much more. Keep reading to discover what to eat in Piedmont!🇮🇹
The Piedmontese cuisine is all about simplicity and the use of local, seasonal ingredients – here, Less is More. Whether you’re an experienced foodie or simply looking to explore the flavors of northern Italy, Piedmont’s cuisine will surprise you in the best ways!
⚠️Warning⚠️ Side Effects of reading this blog post:
- Becoming hungry.😋
- Desperately craving this food.😩
- Accidentally booking your flight to Turin, or another Piedmontese city or town.✈️
- Excessive mouth-watering.🤤
Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links that can help me earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you click through and purchase with these links, thank you in advance for the extra support.💖😊
Here comes the Piedmont Food!👇
I. Dolci (Sweets)
1. Bicerin (drink)
This is the iconic drink of Turin! This delicious drink is made with chocolate, coffee, and whip cream.
2. Gianduiotto (Giandujotto)
“The Italian City of Chocolate”. With a title like that, it’s safe to say Turin has the best Italian chocolate (I can confirm 😉). Its most iconic chocolate is the Gianduiotto (also known as Gianduja), which originates from 1858 and is made with Turin’s finest hazelnuts.
3. Bonet
The biggest heartbreak? Becoming celiac and not being able to eat this deliciousness! So… when you visit Turin, please eat it for me!😂😍
The Bonet is essentially a chocolate pudding made with amaretti cookies, cocoa powder, and a hint of espresso. Some other key ingredients involved include sugar, eggs, milk, and rum or other liqueurs.
4. Zabaglione (drink)
This can be seen as a drink and as a dessert! Zabaglione is made with egg yolks, sugar, and (traditionally) Marsala wine. This delicacy is seasonal and is perfect for the cold months – especially the winter.
Bombardino
If you want something a bit stronger, the Bombardino is a Zabaglione with some “extra friends” – spirits. So instead of using Marsala wine, or prosecco, a Bomboradino will use a spirit like brandy or whisky.
II. Carne Cruda (Raw Meat)
Carne cruda is a delicacy of Piedmont, something that all non-vegetarians should try out! Piedmont is known for its high-quality beef that is tender, lean, and flavorful, and missing out on these dishes would be heartbreaking.
In Piedmont, you can rest assured that the carne cruda comes only from high-quality, fresh ingredients and follows proper food safety guidelines when preparing and serving it. Here are some of the most known dishes (all of which are making my mouth water as we speak).
5. Albese
This is raw, thinly sliced veal meat that is topped with Parmigiano scales, olive oil, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, and depending on the season, celery or artichokes. This dish is my childhood, and it’s simply to die for.
The Crocetta Restaurant in Turin is basically home to me, and they have the best Albese! This is easily one of the best restaurants in Turin and is safe for us celiacs.
6. Salsiccia Bra
This sausage originates from Bra, a city in Piedmont, and is made of high-quality pork that is coarsely ground and seasoned with a blend of salt, pepper, and other spices such as nutmeg, fennel seeds, or garlic.
This, personally, is the best sausage in the world – and it’s best eaten raw (this is not an opinion, but a fact). The sausage has a beautiful round and almost sweet flavor – making it the perfect addition to dishes with stronger flavors.
One of my favorite dishes with Salsiccia Bra is the Risotto al Castelmagno from Arcadia. This Castelmagno risotto is topped with pieces of Salsiccia Bra and the two together create the most magical harmony and balance.
7. Battuta di Fassone
This is essentially tartare of Fassone, a breed of cattle raised in the Piedmont region of Italy.
In this dish, the Fassone beef is first finely minced, or ground, to create a smooth and delicate texture. The meat is then seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil, and sometimes mixed with other ingredients like capers, or Parmesan cheese to add additional flavor and texture.
III. Formaggi (Cheeses)
8. Toma
This is a delicious semi-soft cow’s milk cheese that has a mild buttery flavor.
9. Robiola
Oh Robiola…
This soft and creamy cheese is the definition of cheese heaven. It is made from a combination of cow’s and sheep’s milk and has a delicate and slightly tangy flavor. Its flavors pair well with fresh fruits or honey. Get some crackers or bread and spread this deliciousness on it!
10. Castelmagno
This semi-hard cow’s milk cheese has a strong and tangy flavor, has a crumbly texture, and is usually aged for at least 60 days.
11. Raschera
This delicious, semi-soft cow’s milk cheese has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor. This is usually aged for 30 to 60 days and is perfect for melting on top of vegetables (occasionally even used in risotto).
12. Gorgonzola
Blue-veined cheese that is made from cow’s milk. It has a rich and creamy texture with a tangy and slightly salty taste. I recognize this is not a cheese for everyone but for me… I don’t know how to keep my hands off it!
IV. Pasta
13. Agnolotti
Agnolotti is filled, fresh-pasta. The most famous plates with agnolotti are Agnolotti del Plin. These are filled with veal, pork, herbs, cheese, and some vegetables.
14. Tajarin
This delicious pasta is only made with eggs and flour and the shape is similar to tagliatelle but thinner (half the width, if not more).
V. Produce
15. Tartufi
TRUFFLES! Sorry, the excitement escaped and it landed on here. If you’re a fan of truffles, this is the perfect place for you. Piedmont is specifically known for its highly desired white truffles, which are rarer than black ones. If you are passionate about truffles, you should know about two things:
1. Book a Private Truffle Hunting Tour
These private tours can include truffle tastings, lunch with your findings, Barolo wine tasting, fancy transportation, and more. Check out these GetYourGuide private tours:
2. Attend the White Truffle Fair 2023
Alba, a town located in the heart of Piedmont, is home to a famous annual truffle festival, International Alba White Truffle Fair. At this festival, visitors can sample truffle-based dishes and see the prized delicacies on display. The 2023 festival will be held from October 7th to December 3rd.
16. Funghi
Where to even start with the mushrooms? My mouth waters at the thought of the Fritto Misto di Funghi (fried mixture of mushrooms) my grandma indulges herself with twice a year (I can’t because of celiac disease🤧).
17. Nocciole
Why does Piedmont have the best chocolate, well – the best in Italy? Because of the delicious hazelnuts!😍 Italy comes in second place, after Turkey, as the world’s largest hazelnut producer.
VI. No Specific Category
18. Vitello Tonnato
Also called “Vitel Tonnè” in Piedmontese, this dish is thinly sliced, cold roasted veal that is served with a creamy tuna sauce. This dish is the perfect appetizer or light lunch on a summer day, as it’s served cold or at room temperature.
19. Bagna Cauda
This is a warm dip made with a mixture of olive oil, garlic, anchovies, and butter, which is then heated and served with a variety of vegetables. This iconic dish is not for everyone – especially if you are not a major anchovy fan, like me!😆
This dish can either be an appetizer or a full meal and is often served in the fall and winter months when hearty vegetables are available – like fennel and beets.
20. Fritto Misto
Everything fried, from mushrooms to regular semolina, to veggies, meats, and more – this will be the best food coma!
📌 Pin it for your Future Italy Travels! 🇮🇹
I have to ask…
Which of these foods will you be trying? And if you’ve already been to Piedmont, which was your favorite dish? Let me know in the comments!☺️
Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post on the best restaurants in Piedmont, including gluten-free ones. In the meantime, discover the best things to do when visiting the capital of Piedmont – Turin!
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