{"id":1964,"date":"2012-03-05T18:22:25","date_gmt":"2012-03-05T18:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=1964"},"modified":"2026-02-06T16:36:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T16:36:12","slug":"food-from-italy-alps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps","title":{"rendered":"Italian Alps Food Guide: Alpine Cheese, Dolomite Dishes &#038; More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Think of the Italian Alps and the Dolomites and you&#8217;re likely to think of skiing and mountain-climbing. But it is not just mountain sports that should come to mind&#8230; the regional cuisine is also something to behold!<\/p>\n<p>Some of Italy&#8217;s best foods, including meats and cheeses like prosciutto, speck, and Fontina cheese, come from the Italian Alps. Plus, the Italian Alps, including the Dolomites, benefit from a mixed cultural heritage that makes them unlike any other region in Italy. Remember, Italy&#8217;s Alps border France, Switzerland, Austria,<em> and<\/em> Slovenia.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_905\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-905\" class=\"wp-image-905 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Hiking-in-the-Italian-Alps.jpg\" alt=\"What to pack if you're going for a hike traveling in Italy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Hiking-in-the-Italian-Alps.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Hiking-in-the-Italian-Alps-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-905\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Planning on a hike? Pack a picnic lunch with some delicious Italian Alps food from the local store.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Speciality_Foods_of_the_Italian_Alps\" >Speciality Foods of the Italian Alps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Italian_Alpine_Cheese\" >Italian Alpine Cheese<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Fontina\" >Fontina<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Montasio\" >Montasio<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Meats_from_the_Italian_Alps\" >Meats from the Italian Alps<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Mocetta\" >Mocetta<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Lardo_dArnad\" >Lardo d&#8217;Arnad<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Boudin\" >Boudin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Prosciutto_di_San_Daniele\" >Prosciutto di San Daniele<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Speck\" >Speck<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Traditional_Dishes_from_the_Italian_Alps\" >Traditional Dishes from the Italian Alps<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Fonduta_Valdostana\" >Fonduta Valdostana<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Zuppa_Valdostana\" >Zuppa Valdostana<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Gnocco_gigante\" >Gnocco gigante<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Canederli\" >Canederli<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Polenta\" >Polenta<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Costolette\" >Costolette<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Carbonade\" >Carbonade<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Sweet_Treats\" >Sweet Treats<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Montebianco\" >Montebianco<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Torta_di_Mele_Alpina\" >Torta di Mele Alpina\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#FAQs_%E2%80%93_Italian_Alps_Food_Guide\" >FAQs &#8211; Italian Alps Food Guide<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#What_does_it_mean_when_it_says_a_food_has_DOP_status\" >What does it mean when it says a food has DOP status?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#How_expensive_is_food_in_the_Italian_Alps_compared_to_the_rest_of_Italy\" >How expensive is food in the Italian Alps compared to the rest of Italy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps\/#Can_I_bring_Italian_cheese_meat_or_food_products_home_through_customs\" >Can I bring Italian cheese, meat, or food products home through customs?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Speciality_Foods_of_the_Italian_Alps\"><\/span>Speciality Foods of the Italian Alps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Want to know what to eat when visiting the Italian Alps? Here are some of the best speciality foods and our favorite dishes in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italian-alps-dolomites\">Alps and Dolomites,<\/a> including in the Valle d&#8217;Aosta, South Tyrol, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and parts of Lombardy, Piedmont, and the Veneto!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Italian_Alpine_Cheese\"><\/span>Italian Alpine Cheese<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fontina\"><\/span>Fontina<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/cheese-of-italy\">Italy&#8217;s best-loved cheeses,<\/a> Fontina tastes mild, rich, and almost nutty, and can be either hard (if mature) or soft and perfect for melting (if younger).<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s originally from the Valle d&#8217;Aosta, where it was first created back in the 13th century and whose version is protected by DOP status; other versions are now made in Denmark, France, Sweden, and even the U.S.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong>Insiders Tip:<\/strong> <\/em>To make sure what you&#8217;re eating is &#8220;true&#8221; Italian <em>fontina, <\/em>check that the cheese has the consortium stamp of the Matterhorn with the script &#8220;Fontina&#8221;).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_1971\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_1225.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1971\" class=\"wp-image-1971 size-full\" title=\"Fontina cheese, a specialty of Italy's Alps\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_1225-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Fontina cheese in the Valle d'Aosta\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_1225-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_1225-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_1225-1536x1020.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1971\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fontina cheese, a specialty of the Italian Alps<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Montasio\"><\/span>Montasio<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A DOP-protected cheese, Montasio was first made by Benedectine monks in the mountains&#8230; around the year 1200! The cheese quickly became a much-desired foodstuff! In 1775, a price list from the city of San Daniele listed Montasio as being much more expensive than other cheeses.<\/p>\n<p><em>Montasio Fresco<\/em>, aged between 2 and 5 months, is mild; <em>Montasio Mezzano <\/em>(aged 5-12 months), is firm and tastes full; and <em>Montasio Vecchio <\/em>(aged more than 12 months) is hard, sharp, and perfect for grating over pasta or soup.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21690\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21690\" class=\"wp-image-21690 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/lipetskaya-zemlya-isJJZhYn9Ic-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"A round wooden platter with various cheese samples on it and different sauces for dipping.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/lipetskaya-zemlya-isJJZhYn9Ic-unsplash.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/lipetskaya-zemlya-isJJZhYn9Ic-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21690\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Why not enjoy a cheese tasting, where you can taste samples of different variations of local cheeses<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meats_from_the_Italian_Alps\"><\/span>Meats from the Italian Alps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mocetta\"><\/span>Mocetta<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Traditionally, this cured meat of the Valle d&#8217;Aosta came from goat\u2014but now, it&#8217;s acceptable to use beef, too. It&#8217;s spiced, salted, and aged, and delicious with some bread and lardo d&#8217;Arnad (see below!).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lardo_dArnad\"><\/span>Lardo d&#8217;Arnad<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Made in the Valle d&#8217;Aosta, this specialty from the Italian Alps has become famous throughout Italy. What is it? Lard! It might sounds strange, but it&#8217;s delicious; the lard is spiced, has a smooth, buttery texture, and perfect drizzled with honey and eaten on bread. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.regione.vda.it\/turismo\/scopri\/enogastronomia\/prodotti\/salumi\/vda_lard_arnad_e.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lardo d&#8217;Arnad is DOP-protected<\/a>, and must be made in a very specific way, including being cut from the back of the pig, and seasoned with a mixture of mountain herbs, spices, and salt.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1970\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/lard.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1970\" class=\"wp-image-1970 size-full\" title=\"Lardo d'Arnad and other typical meats of the Italian Alps\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/lard.jpg\" alt=\"Italian Alpine meats and lard\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/lard.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/lard-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1970\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lardo d&#8217;Arnad and Mocetta in the Valle d&#8217;Aosta<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Boudin\"><\/span>Boudin<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not for the faint of heart, this is the Valle d&#8217;Aosta&#8217;s blood sausages, although if you bit into one and nobody told you, you might never know! Slightly sweet, the sausages are a mixture of cured fat, vegetables, spices, and, yes, blood.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prosciutto_di_San_Daniele\"><\/span>Prosciutto di San Daniele<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Along with the <em>prosciutto crudo <\/em>produced in Parma, this is the most famous <em>prosciutto, <\/em>or dry-cured ham, in all of Italy! By the 13th century, the pork produced in San Daniele (a town in Friuli-Venezia Giulia) had already made its way into written texts. It was such a delicacy, in fact, that in 1547, San Daniele sent sixty pairs of its hams to the high prelate involved in the Council of Trent!<\/p>\n<p>Today, <em>prosciutto crudo di San Daniele <\/em>is DOP-protected, meaning it must adhere to very strict requirements, including that the pigs used must be born, bred and slaughtered in one of 10 Italian regions, only their rear thighs are used, and the <em>prosciutto <\/em>is matured for 13 months. (<a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/italian-food-facts-on-parma-ham\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Find out more about <em>prosciutto crudo<\/em><\/a>!)<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1465\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/DSC_0822.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1465\" class=\"wp-image-1465 size-full\" title=\"Prosciutto crudo di San Daniele\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/DSC_0822-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Prosciutto crudo in the Italian Alps\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/DSC_0822-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/DSC_0822-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/DSC_0822-1536x1098.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1465\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prosciutto di San Daniele, a specialty in the Italian Alps<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Speck\"><\/span>Speck<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A specialty of South Tyrol, speck is a salted, spiced, and dried ham that comes from the pig&#8217;s hind leg. First made as early as the 13th century, Speck Alto Adige has been given a DOP status, which applies to the kind that&#8217;s made by marinating the ham for two weeks in a spiced brine; dried and smoked for two weeks; and hung for four months. The result? Delicious!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Traditional_Dishes_from_the_Italian_Alps\"><\/span>Traditional Dishes from the Italian Alps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fonduta_Valdostana\"><\/span>Fonduta Valdostana<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is the fondue of the Valle d&#8217;Aosta, made of Fontina cheese, cream, and eggs. After a cold day in the Alps, there&#8217;s nothing better than tucking into <em>fonduta valdostana<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Zuppa_Valdostana\"><\/span>Zuppa Valdostana<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A traditional soup from Valle d&#8217;Aosta features big chunks of bread in broth covered in melted Fontina cheese. This hearty dish is stick-to-your-ribs delicious!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1969\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_4245.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1969\" class=\"wp-image-1969 size-full\" title=\"Zuppa valdostana, a specialty of the Valle d'Aosta\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_4245-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"One of our favorite Alpine Italian foods\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_4245-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_4245-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_4245-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1969\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Zuppa valdostana <\/em>is often served with generous portions of local Fontina cheese.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gnocco_gigante\"><\/span>Gnocco gigante<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A &#8220;giant dumpling,&#8221; this is made out of breadcrumbs, flour, butter, salt, eggs, and ham and steamed. You can find it in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trento, and Alto Adige.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Canederli\"><\/span>Canederli<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Known on the Austrian side of the border as <em>kn\u00f6del<\/em>, <em>canederi <\/em>are, quite simply, dumplings, made from bread-crumbs, eggs, and lots of other additions, like liver, cheese, or herbs. You can find these in the South Tyrol (Trentino-Alto Adige), where, unsurprisingly, much of the cuisine has a distinctly Austrian influence.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Polenta\"><\/span>Polenta<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Made from affordable maize flour, polenta has been a food of Italy&#8217;s hardiest, and, often, poorest, Italians ever since maize was introduced to Italy from the New World. But in the north, it&#8217;s raised to a high art.<\/p>\n<p>The mixture is extremely versatile &#8211; it can be cooled and served in slices, or dished out in a hot, buttery mixture that&#8217;s the perfect starchy accompaniment to a meat stew, sausages, or melting cheese like <em>fontina.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1972\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_4968.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1972\" class=\" wp-image-1972 size-full\" title=\"One use of polenta in the Italian Alps\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_4968-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Polenta, a specialty of the Valle d'Aosta\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1360\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1972\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Just one use of polenta that you can find in Italy&#8217;s Alps<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Costolette\"><\/span>Costolette<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Costolette are tender veal cutlets, popular in the Valle d&#8217;Aosta and Alpine regions of northern Italy. They are usually lightly breaded and pan-fried in butter, creating a crisp golden crust and juicy interior. Often served with potatoes, polenta, or seasonal vegetables, they reflect the simple, comforting mountain cooking tradition influenced by French and Swiss cuisine.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Carbonade\"><\/span>Carbonade<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Carbonade is a slow-cooked beef stew typical of the Alpine regions, known for its rich, deep flavors. The beef is gently simmered with onions, herbs, and local wine or beer until melt-in-the-mouth tender. Served with polenta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread, it\u2019s a hearty, warming dish perfect for cold mountain climates.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1973\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_4966.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1973\" class=\"wp-image-1973 size-full\" title=\"Beef stew in Italy's Alps\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSC_4966-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Carbonade in the Valle d'Aosta\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1360\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1973\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carbonade meat stew served in the Valle d&#8217;Aosta.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sweet_Treats\"><\/span>Sweet Treats<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Montebianco\"><\/span>Montebianco<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Named, appropriately, after Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco\u2014which straddles the Valle d&#8217;Aosta and France, this dessert looks just like the mountain. It&#8217;s made from cooked chestnuts, topped with peaks of whipped cream.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"491\" data-end=\"850\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Torta_di_Mele_Alpina\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"491\" data-end=\"535\">Torta di Mele Alpina\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"491\" data-end=\"850\">A staple across the Italian Alps, this rustic apple cake showcases the region\u2019s prized mountain apples. Soft, lightly spiced, and often enriched with butter, nuts, or raisins, it\u2019s typically served warm with powdered sugar or a spoonful of cream \u2014 the perfect comforting dessert after a day in the mountains.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2416\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2416\" class=\"wp-image-2416 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Matterhorn-cows-Alps-Cervinia-hike.jpg\" alt=\"Hiking in Cervinia\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2416\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taking a hike to enjoy the stunning scenery in the Italian Alps definitely works up an appetite!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_%E2%80%93_Italian_Alps_Food_Guide\"><\/span>FAQs &#8211; Italian Alps Food Guide<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_it_mean_when_it_says_a_food_has_DOP_status\"><\/span>What does it mean when it says a food has DOP status?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If a food has DOP status it means it is has been awarded the <em>Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)<\/em> status, known in Italian as <em>Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP). <\/em>DOP is a European quality certification that guarantees a product is produced, processed, and prepared entirely in a specific geographic area. It also has to follow strict traditional methods and meets high quality and authenticity standards. In simple terms: DOP means authenticity, quality, and tradition.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_expensive_is_food_in_the_Italian_Alps_compared_to_the_rest_of_Italy\"><\/span>How expensive is food in the Italian Alps compared to the rest of Italy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Food prices in the Italian Alps are generally slightly higher than in southern and central Italy. However, bear in mind that you pay more for mountain specialties, local cheeses, and cured meats due to small-scale production and transport costs. A casual meal typically costs \u20ac15\u201325 per person, while a three-course dinner in a traditional restaurant ranges from \u20ac25\u201345, depending on location and season. Shopping at local bakeries, markets, and mountain huts is a great way to enjoy authentic food on a budget.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_bring_Italian_cheese_meat_or_food_products_home_through_customs\"><\/span>Can I bring Italian cheese, meat, or food products home through customs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This depends on your destination country. Within the EU, you can usually bring back cheese, cured meats, and other food products for personal use. However, if you&#8217;re traveling outside the EU (such as to the UK, USA, or Australia), strict rules often apply. Many countries prohibit fresh cheeses, meats, and dairy products, while vacuum-sealed, commercially packaged goods may be allowed. Always check your destination country\u2019s official customs website before traveling to avoid fines or confiscation.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22113\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22113\" class=\"wp-image-22113 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Devour_Venice_Sunset-Food-Tour_0115.jpg\" alt=\"Various people sitting around a large table with plates of spaghett in a black squid ink sauce.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Devour_Venice_Sunset-Food-Tour_0115.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Devour_Venice_Sunset-Food-Tour_0115-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22113\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Join Walks Of Italy to taste your way around Italy &#8211; with specialist food tours in a host of Italian cities<\/p><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"143\" data-end=\"182\"><strong>Taste Italy on a Guided Food Tour<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"184\" data-end=\"403\">Discover Italy\u2019s flavors with Walks of Italy! From gelato and chocolate tastings in Florence, to pasta, wine, and market tours in Rome, Venice, and Tuscany, there\u2019s a delicious experience for every foodie. Explore all food tasting tours with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/\">Walks of Italy.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"528\" data-end=\"633\"><strong>Savor authentic dishes, local recipes, and make every bite part of your Italian adventure!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Think of the Italian Alps and the Dolomites and you&#8217;re likely to think of skiing and mountain-climbing. But it is not just mountain sports that should come to mind&#8230; the regional cuisine is also something to behold! Some of Italy&#8217;s best foods, including meats and cheeses like prosciutto, speck, and Fontina cheese, come from the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[127,62],"ppma_author":[155],"class_list":["post-1964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food-and-wine","tag-alps","tag-food"],"authors":[{"term_id":155,"user_id":3,"is_guest":0,"slug":"walksofitaly","display_name":"Walks of Italy","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f4cd4dd0c5ab4b4bae57f3500298e23?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog","last_name":"of Italy","first_name":"Walks","job_title":"","description":"Walks began life as the passion project of two guys with one simple mission: To share their love for, and knowledge of, the city of Rome. Since then, Walks has grown into a team of over 100 ground staff and at any time up to 600 guides, operating across 13 of the world\u2019s most exciting cities (and counting!)\r\n\r\nToday we provide some of the most exclusive and beautifully designed small group tours in the industry through Italy-based Walks of Italy and around the world at Walks, where we offer special access to some of the world\u2019s most iconic landmarks and attractions as well as unique cultural experiences."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1964"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1964"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1964\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24829,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1964\/revisions\/24829"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1964"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=1964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}