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Italian cuisine
Torino and its
region Piedmont
a concise guide
for diners & travelers
Piedmont cooking philosophy
The region has Torino, Italy's most modern and industrialized
metropolis . However, the approach to food in Piedmont remains reasonably loyal
to yesteryear's principles of bringing out rather than masking the natural flavors of the cooking ingredients.
 Although culinary influences from neighboring
France can be seen in the regional cuisine, Piedmontese cookery is nonetheless distinct unto itself.
Famous specialties
of Torino and Piedmont
 Bagna Cauda - Translates
as "hot sauce". Its ingredients are olive oil, chopped garlic and anchovies, butter, and sometimes
sliced tartufo bianco (white truffles, another Piedmontese edible ecstasy). Into this heated sauce the diner
dips a wide choice of cold raw vegetables. Red wine is the traditional accompaniment.
Fonduta - It's made by
melting Fontina cheese (from the neighboring Val d'Aosta region) with milk, butter and eggs.
The cook tops the resulting "fondue" with sliced white truffles.
Bollito Misto
- Literally, "mixed boiled". Meat is the prime ingredient.
Agnolotti
- Piedmont style ravioli. Widely popular.
Grissini
- Long, thin, crisp breadsticks. Originated in Torino. Now found globally.
Chicken (or Veal) Marengo
- Created in Piedmont to help Napoleon celebrate his victory at Marengo.
Wines of Piedmont
Piedmont is without question Italy's finest red
wine growing district, Tuscany and its Chianti Classico notwithstanding. Using the noble Nebbiolo grape,
Piedmont produces the great full-bodied Barolo and Gattinara reds and the near-great Barbaresco
red, none of which should be drunk younger than five to ten years. There is also a varietal Nebbiolo red, as
well as Barbera and Grignolino reds (of lesser breed). Regional white wines are few and
uninteresting. On the sparkling side there is Asti Spumante, more famous than great, and often a bit
sweet. Greater Torino is Italy's Vermouth capital.
Best city for gourmets
Torino (also spelled and pronounced Turin) is the top all around food city in Piedmont.
Criteria include cooking, food markets, cooking
ingredients, cooking schools,
beverages, dining and restaurants.
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learn about its cuisine
and famous dishes
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