If there’s one thing you could say about Tuscan food, it’s that it’s definitely not dull!
Full of depth and flavour, traditional Tuscan dishes are made from tasty, local vegetables, the best cuts of meat and of course, generous helpings of delicious olive oil. From bean dishes to sheep’s-milk cheese and rather unusual bread, Tuscan food will definitely excite your taste buds.
Why not enjoy a real Tuscany tasting experience whilst staying at one of our beautiful Chianti villa rentals, or one of our many other holiday villas in Tuscany?
Whatever type of cuisine you prefer, you are bound to find something you like among the wide choice of delicious Tuscan specialities. In winter, you can enjoy hearty bean and vegetable soups, or a generous helping of pappardelle pasta, which is an egg pasta that’s slightly thicker than spaghetti. Meat plays a big part in Tuscan cuisine, and one of the most famous dishes is the Florentine steak, or bistecca alla fiorentina. It consists of a 12-18 month matured steak from Tuscan cattle, which is cut into a T-shape of about 4-6 cm thick and eaten very rare; just five minutes on each side and then it’s done. Any seasoning is added towards the end of the cooking process, never before!
If you aren’t the biggest meat fan, then Tuscany is definitely the right place for you, as vegetables and particularly beans make up a large part of the typical diet. Tuscans are actually nicknamed ‘mangiafagioli’, which literally means bean eaters! There’s a widespread use of locally grown beans, and they are typically cooked until they reach a creamy consistency. Another famous bean and vegetable dish is the ribollita, which is a traditional soup made with beans, bread, cabbage and other vegetables. The name actually translates as ‘re-boiled’, and it’s the traditional way to make use of leftovers. Another great way to enjoy Tuscan vegetables is by ordering verdure fritte miste; deep fried courgettes and artichokes.
Another typical Tuscan food is pane Toscana, or Tuscan bread. The slightly strange thing about this bread is that it’s made without salt! The baking process has always been this way, and the most widely believed explanation is that it’s because traditional Tuscan dishes are highly seasoned and very flavoursome, therefore the bread is used to balance out the meal. Bread is always enjoyed as an accompaniment to the main course, and never as a little snack before the meal really begins. It’s also particularly good with Tuscan cured meats, which are typically very salty.
Make sure that your relaxing holiday at one of our villas with pools in Tuscany has the perfect accompaniment: a large helping of tasty Tuscan cuisine!