Chianti Hotel - Tuscany Resort - Country Hotel in Chianti - Siena countryside holidays

If you consider yourself a foodie, then Italy has to be on your must-visit list. With a worldwide reputation for delicious food that focuses on fresh flavours, every region has something new to offer. Home cooking is best here, with recipes passed down through generations and focusing on seasonal, local ingredients – not a mass produced meal in sight.

Despite what foreign chain restaurants might make you think, it’s not just about pizza and pasta (although both are excellent). There are so many more dishes to choose from, and many come with a regional twist, meaning that they’re slightly different everywhere you go.

So what delights does Tuscany have to offer? Pull up a chair, and let’s dive in.

Fettunta

Translating as an ‘oily slice’, this appetiser is the predecessor of the classic bruschetta. Focusing on simple flavours, it consists of toasted local bread (called pane toscano), drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Some people choose to run a garlic clove and add salt, but it’s perfect either way.

The key to this dish is using pane toscano, rather than any other bread – it doesn’t contain salt, and has a spongy inside and crunchy crust. Tuscany also produces some of the best olive oil in the world, so make sure you get a good one if you’re creating this dish yourself

Panzanella

Initially, when you find out that panzanella is made with stale bread, it doesn’t sound that appealing. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth – this salad is made with tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and drizzled with olive oil and vinegar. All of these juices soak into the bread, creating a truly scrumptious dish. If you want something more hearty, look for one with tuna and capers. Again, the right bread is crucial for creating this summer delight.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Meat-eaters won’t want to miss out on trying the famous bistecca alla fiorentina, otherwise known as Florentine steak. Traditionally made from Tuscan Chianina cattle, this steak is seasoned with local spices and then grilled rare. It’s chunky yet succulent, with the meat only turned once in the pan before being cooked standing on the bone (hence the thickness of the cut).

Chefs worldwide try to recreate this dish, but there’s nothing like tasting the genuine thing in the place that it originates from. Pair with a glass of Chianti wine and enjoy whilst savouring the warm breeze and the sunset.

Cantuccini with almonds

Once you’re done with your savoury courses, or if you simply want something sweet with a coffee mid-morning, then make sure to try cantuccini. The original version of biscotti, this biscuit simply uses almonds to add flavour, nothing more.

They’re double baked, making them extra crunchy, and there’s no shame in having more than one – you simply won’t be able to resist. For a luxurious after-dinner snack, dip them in Vin Santo, an Italian dessert wine. The baking technique means they’ll hold their firmness, simply absorbing the delicious wine to create the perfect mouthful of sweet.

Taste Tuscany

Make sure you try these dishes on your trip to Tuscany for the full Italian experience. Head off the beaten track or ask for local recommendations rather than picking the first restaurant you see – as authentic as possible will be best, so it can help to understand a few words of Italian.

Or, if you’re looking for a hands-on food trip, why not book a cooking class or visit the market yourself to buy some ingredients? That way, you’ll be able to attempt a recreation of your favourite dishes at home, as you reminisce about your trip.