Tuscan Dishes You Need To Be Eating Right Now
You've heard this phrase before, haven't you? You can eat Italian anywhere you go. However, food is a big part of any nation's culture and plays a big role in the image that it portrays to the rest of the world. It is no secret that Italian cuisine ranks among the finest in the world. Yes, the Italians love their wine and will gladly pour you a glass. Let's take a look at some of Italy's most famous dishes from across the country.
Torta di ceci
A savory cake made with chickpea flour from the Italian region of Liguria. It's also popular in neighboring regions, like Piedmont, where it's known as "farinata", and Tuscany, where it's called "cecina".
Served hot out of the oven, torta di ceci is most commonly enjoyed as a snack or appetizer.
While similar to pizza in appearance (because it's baked in the same wood-fired ovens), it has a very different taste and texture. Torta di ceci is more dense and spongier. It's also lower in calories, gluten-free and vegan!
You can serve torta di ceci on its own or with toppings such as anchovies, cheese, raw leafy greens or tomato sauce.
Pecorino Toscana
Pecorino Toscana – or Pecorino Toscano, in Italian – is a cheese made from sheep's milk. It is produced in central Italy (Tuscany) near the cities of Siena and Florence. The cheese has centuries of history, but became more well-known after World War II when it was used as an alternative to Parmigiano Reggiano.
Pecorino Toscana is a firm, semi-hard cheese with a natural rind. It has a sweet and tangy flavor, with notes of grass, milk and butter.
It can be used on its own as a table cheese and pairs beautifully with cured meats such as prosciutto, figs and pears.
Castagnaccio
Castagnaccio is a rustic Italian chestnut flour cake from the region of Liguria in northern Italy. This unusual cake is gluten-free, full of flavor (thanks to lots of olive oil) and perfect for a light lunch or snack. It's also great for breakfast, with a cup of caffè latte!
