For once…just for once…forget Rome, Venice, and Florence! If you want to experience Italy in a unique way outside of the tourist roads, you have, whoops…you MUST visit Torino & Piemonte and Calabria. One is the ultimate paradise for food lovers, the other is Italy in its purest form. No mass tourism, just real life, real food, and real people. No pizza this time for you! Read this to learn about the 2 mysterious places and their delicious food.

Torino & Piemonte – The Ultimate Destination for Foodies

Do you love food? No, seriously. Do you REALLY love food? Then Torino and Piemonte are waiting for you. This is not just a region; it’s a temple of taste.

But first, let’s talk about Torino. Often called the Paris of Italy, Torino is elegant, refined, and full of history. It was the first capital of Italy, and you can still feel its royal atmosphere walking through Piazza Castello, looking at Palazzo Reale, or sipping coffee in historic cafés like Caffè San Carlo. The city is a masterpiece of architecture, with grand boulevards, baroque palaces, and arcaded streets that invite you to stroll and take in the beauty.

Now, let’s talk about something Torino truly excels at: chocolate. If there’s one king in this city, it’s chocolate. Ever heard of Gianduja? That’s the king of chocolate, and it was born here. It’s like Nutella’s wise grandfather, but way more sophisticated. You can find it in little pralines called Gianduiotti. They melt in your mouth. Literally. Want to take it to the next level? Sip a Bicerin alongside! Walking through Torino, you’ll find historic chocolate shops like Guido Gobino and Peyrano, where every bite is a taste of heaven.

And don’t even get me started on wine. Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo – these are not just wines, these are legends in a glass. Order a bottle, take your time, and let the magic happen. And of course, there’s the Aperitivo culture. Torino invented it. You sit in a beautiful piazza, order a Vermouth or a Negroni, and suddenly your table is full of delicious little bites. You just wanted a drink, but congratulations, now you have a full meal in front of you.

Calabria – The Soul of Italy

Want to see the real Italy? No fancy tourists, no overpriced souvenirs, just pure, raw, and authentic Italian life? Go to Calabria.
First of all, the people. Calabrians are the most welcoming Italians you will ever meet. They don’t speak much English, but who cares? They will still invite you to their house, feed you homemade food, and make you feel like family.
Then, the nature. Calabria is where the mountains kiss the sea. Crystal-clear beaches, dramatic cliffs, and hidden villages where time has stopped. You drive through the region and you feel like you’re in a movie. And oh, did you know Calabria was part of Magna Grecia? Yep, the Greeks were here before the Romans. You can still see ancient ruins and theaters that whisper stories of the past. For nature lovers, Calabria offers the perfect mix of sea and mountains. The stunning coastline is ideal for beach lovers, with its turquoise waters and secret coves. But if you love hiking, you can head to the Pollino National Park, the largest natural park in Italy, where you can trek through wild landscapes, ancient forests, and breathtaking peaks. Whether you want to relax by the sea or explore the mountains, Calabria has it all.

But let’s talk food again. Calabria is the European capital of chili peppers. They love it so much that they even have a Chili Pepper University. Imagine studying how to make food even spicier. That’s commitment! And let’s be real: nothing beats a spicy ‘nduja spread on warm bread or a plate of pasta with fresh seafood and a touch of heat.

Italy is much more than Italy

There is so much to discover in Italy that IG influencers and magazine haven’t shown you yet! Piedmont and Calabria are pure authentic gems. Just chat to your Italian friends and get all the insights about Italy off the beaten tracks. Then pack your luggage and hit the road…whoops sorry! We meant…EAT the road! And if you are still craving for pizza…well, Streaty Naples!

NEW STREATY TOURS COMING UP IN…TURIN AND BOLOGNA!

Stray tuned. We are about to launch our new food tours in Turin and Bologna. Why Turin…well, you’ve just read the tasty excuse in this article! Chocolate, wine and delicious street food bites. What else? Bologna? well, it’s one of the Italian capitals of food, mostly renowned for tortellini and bolognese sauce. However, you know that on streaty tours you are going to get different bites, only what locals eat, not what tourists expect. So expect to have another super cool and authentic foodie experience with Streaty!

The post Torino, Piedmont & Calabria: Italy’s Best-Kept Secrets appeared first on Streaty.

Title: Must-Try Italian Christmas Foods for Foodie Travelers

Italy is a feast for the senses year-round, but during the holiday season, the culinary experience reaches another level. Italian Christmas cuisine offers a unique blend of regional flavors, artisanal traditions, and seasonal ingredients, perfect for any foodie traveler to explore. Here are some must-try dishes and treats to savor if you’re traveling to Italy this festive season.

1. Panettone and Pandoro

The holiday season in Italy is synonymous with Panettone and Pandoro. Panettone, originally from Milan, is a tall, fluffy cake filled with candied fruit and raisins, while Pandoro, from Verona, is softer, without the fruit, and often dusted with powdered sugar. Many bakeries and pastry shops offer artisanal versions, each with unique twists like chocolate, pistachio, or cream fillings.

2. December 13th, The Arancini day in Palermo

December 13th marks the feast of Santa Lucia, especially celebrated in Palermo, Sicily. On this day, Sicilians prepare arancine (or arancini in other regions), delicious rice balls stuffed with meat ragu, cheese, or even butter and herbs, then fried to golden perfection. Traditionally, locals avoid eating bread or pasta on Santa Lucia’s day, making arancine the star of this festive occasion. If you’re visiting Sicily in mid-December, this is an essential treat!

3. Cannoli and Cassata Siciliana – The Christmas gift

Winter is the perfect season to try cannoli and cassata cake in Sicily, as sheep’s milk ricotta, the essential ingredient, is at its freshest in the colder months. Cannoli are crisp, fried pastry tubes filled with creamy, slightly sweet ricotta and often topped with chocolate chips, candied fruit, or pistachios. Their flavor is especially rich and memorable when made with winter ricotta, making them a winter delicacy not to be missed. The Cassata cake is the gift that “the uncle” brings to the table at the end of the Family dinner. A beautifully decorated cakes hiding inside a soft core of ricotta cream and chocolate chips.

4. Tortellini in Brodo – The Classic

In Emilia-Romagna, especially around Bologna, Tortellini in Brodo is a must for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. These tiny, handmade pasta parcels are traditionally filled with meat and cheese and served in a hot, flavorful broth. It’s the perfect winter comfort food and an essential experience of Italian culinary tradition.

5. Pangiallo Romano – History is served

In Rome, Pangiallo Romano is a cherished Christmas treat. This ancient recipe dates back to Roman times and features a golden, honeyed crust that gives it its name (meaning “yellow bread”). It’s packed with nuts, dried fruits, citrus zest, and warm spices, creating a dense, aromatic cake that’s perfect for the holiday season. If you’re in Rome, sampling pangiallo from a traditional bakery is a holiday must.

6. Cavallucci from Siena

Florence has its own holiday specialty: Cavallucci, traditional Christmas cookies made with honey, anise seeds, nuts, and candied orange peel. These dense, spiced cookies pair wonderfully with dessert wine and have been a Tuscan holiday tradition for centuries. Sampling freshly baked cavallucci while strolling around Florence’s holiday markets is a sweet, nostalgic experience.

7. Cotechino with Lentils

In Northern Italy, Cotechino with lentils is a classic New Year’s Eve dish. Cotechino is a spiced, boiled sausage with a rich flavor, served over lentils that symbolize luck and prosperity for the coming year. You’ll find it in many homes and restaurants across Italy, particularly in Modena and other parts of Emilia-Romagna. According to the Italian tradition, eating lentils on New Year’s Eve brings good luck and prosperity, as the lentils are thought to resemble coins!

8. Struffoli (Naples, Campania)

If you’re traveling to Naples, be sure to try Struffoli, a festive dessert made of small fried dough balls covered in honey and sprinkled with colorful sugar or candied fruit. These sweet, crunchy bites are a Neapolitan tradition during the Christmas season and add a burst of flavor and color to any holiday table.

9. Zampone (Emilia-Romagna)

Zampone, a hearty dish from Emilia-Romagna, is popular during the holidays. Similar to cotechino but made with a pig’s trotter casing, it’s traditionally served with mashed potatoes or lentils. Its rich flavor and hearty texture make it a beloved winter dish that’s steeped in Italian holiday tradition.

10. Christmas Markets and Street Food

Italy’s Christmas markets are a great way to sample holiday treats while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Sip on vin brulé (mulled wine) as you explore, and don’t miss roasted chestnuts, nougat, or local cheeses. From the Mercatino di Natale in Trento to Florence’s Piazza Santa Croce, you’ll find delicious street food and artisanal products to take home as souvenirs.

PLANNING A TRIP TO ITALY IN DECEMBER? BOOK A STREATY FOOD TOUR AND SAVE 20%!

Use the promo code streatyxmas24 to get 20% off your next Streaty food tour in Italy! The offer is valid for all tours scheduled from November 13th to December 31st. The code will expire on December 8th 2024.

How to redeem a discount code?
Follow these steps: Choose your Destination and tour -> choose your date -> select the number of participants -> click on “add promo or discount code” -> paste your code in and proceed to payment.
If you need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us at info@streaty.com

The post 10 Must-Try Italian Christmas Dishes appeared first on Streaty.

WHAT IS FERRAGOSTO?

Ferragosto, celebrated on August 15th, is more than just a public holiday in Italy—it’s an institution. The name traces back to “Feriae Augusti,” an ancient Roman festival established by Emperor Augustus in 18 BC. Originally, it was a period of rest and celebration to honor the hard work of farmers after the harvest. Over time, this pagan festival blended with Christian traditions, marking the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which commemorates the ascent of Mary to heaven. Today, Ferragosto is a mix of religious celebration and the pure Italian love of taking a break.

ITALY EMPTIES OUT

From Rome to Milan, Florence to Venice, Italian cities experience an exodus during Ferragosto week. Italians take this time to escape the heat of the cities and head to the beaches, mountains, or countryside. The result? Shops close, top-notch restaurants shut their doors, and even some of the most famous tourist attractions reduce their hours or close entirely. You’ll find bustling piazzas eerily quiet and streets where the only movement might be the occasional stray cat…or desperate tourists seeking freshness under trees. While cities empty out the beaches get overcrowded. Restaurants on the seaside are packed and music all over the coast just kill the magic of a quiet and romantic Italian summer night.

For travelers expecting a lively Italian experience, this can be a shock. The vibrant, bustling Italy that you read about in guidebooks seems to have vanished. Instead, you’re left wandering through empty streets, peering into shuttered windows, wondering where everyone has gone.

SOUTHERN ITALY: THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 14TH

In regions like Campania, Calabria, and Sicily, families gather for a special meal, often by the sea. It’s a night of food, music, and fireworks, as locals indulge in a feast that lasts until the early hours. The beaches are dotted with the so-called “falò” (bonfires). It’s a beautiful, vibrant contrast to the empty urban centers, highlighting the deep cultural roots of Ferragosto in these communities. When midnight strikes, hordes of young people run towards the sea, cheering and shouting for the traditional midnight swim. The rest of the night is music, dances food and drinks till the sun comes up to whistle the end. This is exactly what you should do to feel the Italian spirit in Ferragosto. Manage to enjoy this with an Italian friend and you will have a blast!

WHY VISITING ITALY IN MID-AUGUST IS A BAD IDEA

Unless you’re seeking solitude in an empty city, Ferragosto is not the best time to visit Italy. The lively restaurants and charming shops you’ve heard so much about? Closed. The vibrant markets? Silent. Even the locals are nowhere to be found…oh yes! find them at the beach! You’ll miss out on the authentic Italian experience, as the very heart of the cities seems to take a holiday too.

Instead, plan your visit for September. Italy wakes up from its August slumber, with cooler weather, reopened businesses, and a renewed energy. The streets buzz with life once again, and you can truly enjoy the full flavor of Italy—literally and figuratively. Plus, you can join us for a Rome street food tour, where the post-Ferragosto culinary delights will be waiting for you. Take advantage of our 15% discount offer valid until August 25th. Use code “blog1508” to redeem the discount!

In the meantime, if you find yourself in Italy during Ferragosto, head south for a taste of the local celebrations. Just be prepared for quiet days and empty streets in the cities—after all, it’s Ferragosto, and all of Italy is on vacation.

The post Ferragosto or why Italy is a ghost country in Mid-August appeared first on Streaty.

We selected the best traditional food restaurants in Catania based on three basic criterias: authenticity of the place, quality of food, value for money.

Best traditional restaurants in Catania

Me Cumpari Turiddu
Piazza Turi Ferro 36/38

An elegant yet warm spot that celebrates traditional Sicilian cuisine with a refined touch. The vintage decor and slow food philosophy make it ideal for a relaxed dinner. Try the pasta alla Turiddu or the caponata—both rich in local flavor. A great choice for food lovers seeking authenticity with style.

La Vuciata
Via Gisira, 8

Traditional cuisine with top quality products. The owner Marco is obsessed by the quality of products to be used in his restaurants. Same attention is dedicated to the wine list, strictly Sicilian and mainly from Mount Etna’s vineyards. You will find major traditional recipes with a sprinkle of innovation. The restaurant is located in the heart of Pescheria market, so great spot for an exciting people watching. The staff is very kind! Highly recommended.

A Putia Do’ Calabrisi (for intrepid travelers only!)
address: Via della Concordia, 185

Definetely our favorite place in Catania away of the city center. If the question is Where to eat in Catania like a REAL local, the answer is “A Putia Do Calabrisi”. It’s actually an Osteria with wine barrels and all the rest. Everything is so purely catanese! The undefined queue outside sits on the scooters sipping killing-liver country wine, some smoking and others just tapping on their smartphones. Wait for Santina to come. Santina is the sweetest nicest funniest host you’ve ever met in your life. And she goes like “find yourself a seat”, and “this is what we have today…”. We had memorable fried triglie fish and pork rind in tomato sauce! Dishes are seasonal. You should know that the area is infamous for being a bit dodgy. Nothing to worry about. Just like they say in Colombia “The risk is that you don’t wanna leave!”.

Osteria Antica Marina
address: Via Pardo 29

Antica Marina, located in the heart of the Pescheria fish market of Catania, is commonly renowned as one of the best fish restaurants in Catania. All fish is very fresh and the menu is very interesting offering a perfect combination of tradition and innovation. You will dream of the capesante with tuna chips and pistachio cream for a long time! Good selection of wines, not very wide but satisfying. It’s very central, it’s very good and the waiters are smiley! Must know: Spaces are bit narrow and when the place is full service might get slower.

Trattoria La Canonica
address: Via Raddusa 7

Very humble but very decorated. We will pay you a dinner if you only found an empty spot on the wall or on any other surface! You won’t find it, give it up! 
This is the place you wanna go with a group of friends…that kind of group where Tom wants to eat fish, Marlene hates eggplants, Jennie is vegetarian and Michael only eats fried food. The menu will make everybody happy. La Canonica restaurant makes the best sarde a beccafico in the world, it’s definetely the not-to-be-missed dish in Catania. Fair regular prices. 

Due Pistacchi
address: Via Paternò 11

If Sicilian pistachio has a home in Catania, that home is called “Due Pistacchi Restaurant”. A fancy and creative bistro that mixes Sicilian roots with gourmet twists. Perfect for a relaxing dinner just off the tourist path. Don’t miss the pistachio-crusted tuna or the homemade pasta with Bronte pistachio pesto. Warm vibes, seasonal ingredients and great value.

La Trattoria del Cavaliere
address: Via Paternò 11

All blogs titled “where to eat in Catania” will mention the Trattoria del Cavaliere. The place is huge and labyrinthine. The Trattoria is an institution in Catania. Just focus on the rich selection of appetizers, pick something from the menu, take a sit, sip wine they give you and enjoy the vibes. Probably our top pick to try the catanese pasta alla norma. Nothing is fine and fancy here, it’s all just purely Catanese pop style. The waiters go fast, so don’t expect to be served with smiles and hugs. Prices are extremely fair.

The post Where to eat in Catania like a local! appeared first on Streaty.

There is no visit to Catania without going to the fish market ( A’ Piscaria). Not just any market, but the historic fish market, an iconic place that, through the products and the presence of fish artisans, tells wonderful stories every day. The city’s routine is still embedded in its chaotic rhythm, the truest soul of the land. Go early in the morning to see it more crowded and bustling, and be sure to eat at one of the many excellent places nearby.
Is it Arancino or Arancina? find this out in our blog. Another market you should visit is the bustling market of Fera ‘o luni. Every day, among the crowded aisles it is possible to come across heated arguments, featuring the younger hawkers, looking for the best spot, with the more veteran ones, holders of their “permanent spot”; or in long bargaining between customers looking for cheap stuff and the traders who are then forced to give in to positively close the sale and even the day.

During the rest of the day
– Enjoy the best views of Catania. Located just behind the Cathedral of Saint Agatha is the smaller Chiesa della Badia di Sant’Agata, home to the best view of Catania. Access is via the narrow stone stairway towards a terrace, and then another few more spirals of stairs towards the dome and its 360° views over the city and Mount Etna looming in the distance.
– Further north in the city, the Giardino Bellini / Villa Bellini is the largest and oldest public green space in Catania. Adorned with busts of various Catanese musicians, writers, and politicians, the eponymous gardens are a place to escape the heat of the Sicilian summer or have a break from wandering around the streets of Catania for an hour or so.
– If you want to give someone a magical evening then coincide your visit to Catania with an opera performance at Teatro Massimo Bellini. It’s a delight inside and out. Interestingly, its facade is an aping of the Sicilian Baroque style rather than being an original from the era.

It may surprise or disappoint the first-time visitor that Sicily’s second-largest city lacks the aesthetics or romantic atmosphere of other seaside settlements in Italy; the basis of this island port city is more industrial than poetic. However, Catania offers a wonderful window into the palate and Sicily’s place in history.  This is our top list of attractions:

– Duomo. Both the church and the cathedral are located within Piazza del Duomo, the heart of ancient Catania. On the way out, stop at the curious black lava sculpture of a smiling elephant carrying an obelisk. Known as “Liotru” by locals, stories of a mystical elephant statue revered in Catania have existed for nearly a thousand years.
Curiosity: this elephant and its castle are the symbol and mascot of the city, and the reason why its coat of arms and the crest of the local soccer team-which moves between Serie A, B, and C-have a random elephant adorning them!
– Castello Ursino. The castle was the seat of Parliament during the Sicilian Vespers, the residence of the Aragonese rulers and for a time was also used as a prison. It’s now home to the Civic Museum of Catania.
– Monastero Benedettino. Among the largest Benedictine complexes in Europe. marked by multiple transformations today and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Monastery is considered one of the most significant cultural assets in southern Italy. The mission assumed by Officine Culturali is to make the Monastery a space of integration and aggregation for the community.
– Anfiteatro Romano. Catania’s Roman amphitheater, a small section of which is visible today in Piazza Stesicoro in the city’s historic center, was once used as a necropolis. 
– Palazzo Biscari. The most important private palace in Catania and a precious testimony to Sicilian Baroque. The frescoed halls full of charm and elegance provide a splendid setting for concerts, meetings, receptions, galas, and fashion shows.

While you are in Catania, don’t forget to:
– Eat & Drink on via Gemellaro. A Catania nightlife hotspot. One of the coolest streets in Catania.
– Taste Etna Wine. Categorized and protected under the Etna DOC appellation. Nerello Mascalese and its cousin Nerello Cappuccio are the main red grape varieties; Carricante is for white. 
– Take a sit at our favorite restaurants: read more Where to eat in Catania like a local! – Streaty

On the east coast of Sicily, Europe’s tallest and most active volcano dominates the horizon: 500,000-year-old Mount Etna. In an almost constant state of activity, it is not uncommon to see expanses of thick smoke and sparks of lava, especially from the nearby city of Catania. Although it is possible to visit some areas of Mount Etna independently, climbing and walking on the volcano’s crater is allowed only as part of an authorized guided tour; unless you have a rental car and get there in an hour, a tour also offers the most convenient way to get there and back from Catania.
It’s a fairly easy hike, but it’s not something to do in flip-flops and beachwear, especially given the summit’s 3,300-meter altitude.
TIP: Public transport is not an option here.

Got back to Catania and need to be refreshed? You might need a swim to the local beach of Ognina and dive into the Catanese life. A beautiful landscape to admire, perfectly equipped bathing beaches and a very short distance away, a pleasant as well as fun nightlife.

In only 20 minute drive, you can arrive at Aci Castello and a bit further north Aci Trezza. Overlooking the sea, these two towns are two small Sicilian treasures, not far from each other. Not to be missed is the marine area of the Isole Ciclopi, which belongs to both and offers itself to the visitor as a marvelous spectacle of nature, formed by an eruption of Mount Etna, home today to colorful flora and fauna. A well-kept secret, these two little fishing towns have managed to remain more of a local’s favorite rather than a tourist draw on the east coast. You can walk from one to the other, there’s a smattering of lidos, old boys gossiping by painted fishing boats, and lots of authentic dolce vita vibes to slowly drink in. At only 10-minute driving distance you can reach the beautiful Baroque town of Acireale.
Do not miss a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata hosting the relics of Santa Venera, the city’s patron saint. Very impressive is the Le Chiazzette scenic route: a stretch built in lava stone in the 1700s, which connects the center of Acireale to the hamlet of Santa Maria la Scala.

Half day in Taormina

Taormina can be reached in about an hour’s drive. Taormina is not like the booming cities of Syracuse and Catania. Although it has a history dating back thousands of years, it has remained small and tiny. This is largely due to the limits of the plateau on which it stands, but it has also helped keep it walkable from end to end. It is characterized by narrow streets, small stores and ceramics, fountains, and Arab gardens. It is famous for its ancient Greek-Roman theater still in operation.
If you want to do some shopping and enjoy a little movida stroll down Corso Umberto. A city that is all a blaze of colors and art!
Most beaches are within a 20-minute walk of the center. The beaches can be reached by steep stairs that zigzag up the cliffs. The journey can be a bit tiring in the summer heat, but eventually, the refreshing waters of the Mediterranean Sea will please you. 

Are you wondering what is the best time to visit Sicily?
Read this!

The post Long Weekend in Catania: what not to miss! appeared first on Streaty.

Mamma Streaty is happy to announce the publishing of her very first cookbook! “Mamma Streaty’s family recipes” is now online. 

Who is Mamma Streaty

Mamma Streaty, who’s real name is Maria Luisa Liotta, is the mother of Streaty’s founder Marco. A sweet 75 Sicilian woman born in the small mountain town of Capizzi (Province of Messina). Convinced by her sons, Mamma Streaty decided to write down her 30 top ranked family recipes! From the most classic Italian dishes to the most intimate family treats. Have you ever cooked or tasted an anchovy-flavored chicken? Do you know how high can the sweetness of Mamma’s Ricotta Passion lift you up? You don’t need to know, you don’t taste…you can simply make it yourself!

Mouth watering dishes

Appetizers, pastas, second courses of meat, vegs and fish will simply make you wanna cook more and more! Each recipe includes a short introduction with Mamma Streaty’s thoughts and stories. Recipes have been drawn for different number of people. Some easy pastas, like the Pasta col pesto alla trapanese (tomato, almond, garlic, mint, tomato and pecorino cheese) has ingredients and instructions to serve 2 people. Other more elaborated dishes, like the Involtini di pesce spada swordfish rolls list instructions to serve 4 people. Food is social, right? Mamma Streaty’s would make swordfish rolls for her own. The pleasure of sharing well cooked food is a fundamental asset of Italian cooking culture. If you cook something special…just share it with friends and family!

E-cookbook: What you’ll get

• 30 authentic family recipes (7 appetizers, 3 desserts, 10 pastas, 10 second courses with fish, meat and veg)
• Technical tips and notes to cool like a real Sicilian mum
• Exclusive photos of real Mamma Streaty’s dishes
• Designed for Apple iPad / Android Tablets / Kindle. Available also as PDF. 
• Share on Facebook and get 10% discount on the book
• Contents in English language only
• European measures in Grams and Kilograms

A Sicilian-International project

While Quarantine was bringing cancellations and frustrations. Mamma Streaty’s recipes were surfing the web from the Australian coasts to the British cliffs. Streaty is honored to have collaborated with Patrick Kilbey and Carmela D’Amore. 

Patrick Kilbey (Colchester – UK), a passionate cultured English food lover and former Streaty’s client, edited the contents. We needed a native English speaker to do this. We feel honored to have collaborated with Patrick for the publishing of Mamma Streaty’s cookbook.  Patrick Kilbey is a deep connoisseur of Italian food culture and he does know his stuff when it comes to write. 

The Sicilian-Australian chef, Carmela D’Amore, reviewed the first drafts in order to adjust the technical vocabulary. Beside being a professional chef and a lovely person, Carmela D’Amore is also a long time Streaty partner. Under the brand Carmela’s cucina cooking class she runs multiday food and cultural tours around Sicily.  Check it out!

Cook online with Mamma Streaty

The ebook is all you need to cook and delight your own and your family’s palate, but there is more! You can also meet Mamma Streaty online and cook with her! Yes you can! We run an online experience called “Cook Sicilian online with Mamma & Marco”. Go to our Virtual event page. You can connect in real time with Marco & Mamma and cook along! The experience lasts 1 hour. You can choose among a short list of recipes and, since cooking and eating is a social moment, you can also invite a friend to join in! Before you consider booking the Online cooking class with Mamma Streaty, make sure you have a bottle of wine home coz we are going to have a live e-toast! 

Go to download!

The post Mamma Streaty’s E-cookbook is online! appeared first on Streaty.

WHAT ABOUT CHICKEN

Chicken is one of America’s favorite foods: in sandwiches, fried, in salads, you can find it in many variations. In Italy, it is usually eaten alone, as a main course, yet in the U.S. they are convinced that it is used to make pasta sauce, or as a topping for pizza, but in fact, there is no such tradition in our country. One of the most peculiar recipes you can try in New York is chicken parmigiana, which is prepared with chicken instead of eggplant, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese, but not even a shadow of parmesan cheese. The original Italian parmigiana is made only with fried eggplant layered with caciocavallo cheese, tomato sauce and fresh basil. Chicken Marsala? delicious! recipe is good but Sicilians would normally make it with veal.

FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

Fettuccine Alfredo for Americans is the symbol of Roman cuisine and one of the staple dishes of Italian cuisine. Too bad that Alfredo sauce in Italy is known only among the most passionate foodie community. This dish is said to have originated in Alfredo di Lelio’s restaurant in Rome in the early 1900s and in essence, it is fettuccine mantecate with butter and parmesan cheese and in some variations may include the addition of shrimp. How this dish became famous in America is quickly said: two Hollywood movie stars, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, who tasted this specialty in Alfredo’s restaurant during their honeymoon in Rome and made it famous in the US, made it famous. The real “Fettuccine alla Alfredo” is still around. Try the original one in Rome at Ristorante “Il Vero Alfredo“.

SPUMONE

Spumone has Neapolitan origins and is widespread throughout Puglia and also in Sicily. It is a semi-cylindrical or cylindrical shaped dessert composed of different types of layered jelly, including Chocolate, Stracciatella and Hazelnut. What is known in the United States and Canada, however, has nothing to do with traditional spumone allegedly originated in Naples in the XIX century. The spumone has been modified to become a symbol of Italians: Spumone in America and Canada is prepared with the three flavors whose colors are like the Italian flag (cherry, cream and pistachio), sometimes chocolate, candied fruit and dried fruit are added. Spumone has become so famous overseas that two themed days have been dedicated to it: August 21 is celebrated in the United States and November 13 is National Spumoni Day in Canada. 

STROMBOLI

A pizza from the Neapolitan tradition? Not really and not even a calzone. In fact, the “stromboli roll” is a stuffed roll of bread dough. The pizza Stromboli is an Italian-American dish invented in 1950 by Nazzareno Romano, the owner of “Romano’s Pizzeria” in Essington (Philadelphia), one of the first Italian restaurants in the area. His recipe (ham, cotechino, cheese, and pepperoni wrapped in pizza dough) was an immediate success. In choosing the name, Nazzareno Romano once again wanted to seal the Italian-American nature of the dish: from “pizza imbottita” to “stromboli roll,” inspired by the then-recent scandal of the Rossellini Bergman couple on the set “Stromboli Terra di Dio.”

MAC’N’CHEESE

Mac’n’Cheese are those famous macaroni noodles topped with stringy cheese used in America as a side dish. Often served in combination with barbecue dishes, they represent an American classic of clear Italian derivation but experience a paradox: Italians do not recognize it at all as their gastronomic heritage. As folklore legends report, it was actually English immigrants who supposedly spread this dish to the United States. Then cleared through customs and made even more popular thanks to the anecdote about President Jefferson.

WHAT’S OUR OPINION

Italian-American cuisine is not Italian, it’s Italian-American and it’s delicious the way it is. Who cares if it doesn’t meet the fundamental cooking rights of Italians. Food is good and beautiful because food is culture.

The post 5 Italian-American dishes unknown by Italians appeared first on Streaty.

Searching For Italy episode in Sicily

The Searching For Italy Sicily episode is incredibly well done. Stanley reads Sicily through its food, its history and its personality. Stanley’s sincere passion and interest is directly expressed by his manners and his questions. Passion is also the key of our Catania food tours. Leave the chic halls to tourists and come experience the streets with us!

However, Nobody and Nothing is perfect. In the article we point out few things that could have been done better! 
?YES!= Stanley rocks!
?NOT REALLY = something to point out

Arancini on the ferry

?YES!:  Stanley hits the spot! The food experience of Stanley Tucci in Sicily starts with a top-notch tip for watchers! you will see Stanley having Arancini on the ferry boat that crosses the Strait of Messina, that 1.6 mile of deep blue waters that separates Sicily from Italy.  Indeed, having the arancini on the ferry is a real modern habit for all Sicilians on their way out and in to the island. You will see Sicilians on the deck standing, eating and watching home getting further and further. Their eyes are shiny. On the way in, you will see Sicilians with bright smiles biting the Arancini while getting closer and closer to home. Their eyes are bright. So well done Stanley! The arancini on the ferry isn’t probably the best arancini you can eat in Sicily, but as Stanley says ‘It’s the taste of home’. As the ferry staff confirms, the arancini kick off was very much appreciated by Stanley Tucci and the CNN crew, ‘the only shame is that the cruising is too short’…you’re right Stanley!

?NOT REALLY: Are you really really sure that Arancini is the correct name to call that street food? Well, you must know that Sicilians have been arguing for decades over the real name of this delicious street food. Somebody call it Arancino-Arancini (masculine noun), others call it Arancina-Arancine (feminine noun). The argument extends over the linguistic field. What should the real shape be? Pointed like Mount Etna or rounded like an orange? Read our blog post on Arancini.

Spaghettony: Stanley at the Michelin starred restaurant I Pupi

?YES!: ‘don’t mistake uncomplicated for bland’. Stanley underlines that the uniqueness of Sicilian does not resides in its complicated and researched combination of ingredients, but it resides in its freshness and delicate simplicity. Very true! Standing ovation! The I Pupi restaurant is currently considered the best gourmet restaurant in the province of Palermo. The quality of products is over the top. The way products are treated is heavenly. The way it feels in your mouth is…OH-MY-GOD! As you can see in the documentary, the chef is very nice and welcoming. Nothing has been filtered by CNN cameras. Mr Toni Lo Coco is a real host, the way you see him on camera. Tony cooks for Stanley some pasta with bottarga (tuna egg)…’an eruption of flavours’ is the response given by Stanley’s taste buds. We are so fascinated by Stanley’s manners at interacting with locals. His attempt of speaking Italian are quite cute but they definitely sets the right comfy mood for all the characters involved in the scene.

?NOT REALLY: Sorry Stanley but we really want give you a hard time in this article! 🙂 It is true that many evidences date the invention of Spaghetti back to the Arab times, but it’s not correct to say that spaghetti were brought to Sicily by the Arabs. In fact, Arab travelers reported the existence of spaghetti in Sicily during the Muslim domination (9^th to 11^th century). So, to be more precise, we should say, that spaghetti were allegedly made by Sicilians during the Arab domination.

A delicate Vintage. Stanley at Occhipinti’s vineyards

?YES!: ‘I’m hardly a wine expert but I do know that I like drinking it’. We love this line. Finally a show man who does not pretend to be an expert in everything. We love you Stanley!
During his trip to Sicily, Stanley Tucci reserves a day to visit the vineyard of Arianna Occhipinti. Arianna’s wines delight the palates of foodies and gourmand from all over the world. Arianna’s story is very interesting. It starts like thousands of other Sicilian stories. A young smart professionals that leaves the island to build a career in a land of better opportunities. If thousands go, hundreds come back. Arianna belongs to the latter group. Her love for Sicily couldn’t keep her away for too long. She came back to Vittoria and started her own wine making business. We do recommend you visit her vineyards and join her wine tasting offers. As Stanley says ‘Sicilian aren’t easy to be celebrated on their own’. They often need a blend to have more elegant results. But Arianna’s wines prove that passion and knowledge can turn a reputation upside down. #Delicacy is the keyword. 

Stanley Tucci in Palermo, Sicily

YES! We did realize that Searching for Italy is a great documentary series because Stanley and his crew have been able to understand the real soul of Sicily without falling in the trap of stereotypes, as the large majority of documentaries about Italy do. When it comes to describe Palermo, Stanley Tucci’s words match perfectly with the camera frames. Palermo is the capital of contrasts, and this is the real fascination that convinces many foreigners to move in town. The dark backstreets, the hidden history, the noisy and rough markets, the golden bright churches and palaces. Palermo is pure passion. It’s a nice surprise for all travelers whose most common expectation is to find a grey dirty city without personality. If you want to get to know the city the way it is, without touristy filters, let us walk you around on a Palermo Street Food tour. 

?NOT REALLY: ahi! Stanley, this time you disappointed us. We enjoyed very much your introductory lines to the city of Palermo. But Stanley…how could you forget to mention the Roman domination which actually built the basics of Sicilian cuisine!? For instance, the cult of Anchovies in Sicilian cuisine comes from roman times. Stanley mentions the Phoenicians and then jumps more than a thousand years ahead to the Arabs. We will forgive you Stan because after all We do consider Arab times the most fascinating chapter in Sicilian history. 

Stanley Tucci at dinner with the Princess

What we really enjoyed about Stanley Tucci’s episode in Sicily is his comfortable charm with all the locals he sits and talks with. His fine humor and gentle manners give their best at the dinner with the Princess di Raffadali. We felt so moved at seeing Stanley in front of the Timballo di pasta, the ultimate recipe challenged by Primo and Secondo, the Italian brothers of Stanley’s masterpiece ‘the Big Night’.
?YES!: thank you! for once, we have a big production tv show talking about the decline of mafia in Sicily. Dear Stanley, today Sicilians are very thankful to you for this words. Usually Tv’s and magazines prefer to feed the monster stereotype depicting Sicily as the land of mafia. You know, mafia sells a lot!

The door is always open. Stanley Tucci eats Pasta alla Norma

?YES!: pasta alla norma is the most iconic of the Sicilian pastas. Stanley is hosted at Me Cumpari Turiddu restaurant and welcomed by the pure smile of Roberta Capizzi. Pasta alla Norma is seasoned with tomato sauce, basil, fried eggplant and finely topped with grated dried ricotta!

?NOT REALLY: Stanley states that the eggplant was brought by the arabs in the ninth century a.D. Mmmm…not really. Eggplant was apparently imported to Sicily by the Spaniards six centuries later. The noun eggplant only enter the European vocabulary in the 18th century. And why is it called like that? because it was referred to an ancient species of white vegetable aubergine with an unusual shape of an egg! So, to be precise, the purple veg should be called Aubergine. 

Stanley Tucci in Catania, Sicily

?YES!: We do love the way Stanley describes the love and fear connection that Eastern Sicilians have with the Volcano. 

?NOT REALLY: we think Catania would have deserved a bit of more attention. Catania is actually one of the oldest cities in all of Italy. You can walk around Catania and bump into a roman theater after another! And how come you missed the fish market of la Pescheria?!!? it’s the most impressive fish market in all of Italy.

But Once again, we do forgive you Stanley. We worked with many TV shows and we know that sometimes you have too much material and the only thing you can do is to cut. Well for all you have stitched up in this episode, we simply thank you Stanley. 

Places visited by Stanley Tucci in Sicily

We know what you were thinking while watching the episode or reading this article. We wanna go there and eat the same stuff! Well, please find below the places in Sicily where Stanley Tucci sat and devoured the food. 

• Ristorante I Pupi (Michelin) – Via dei Cavalieri,59 (Bagheria)
  Call to book +39 091902579 
• Ristorante Me Cumpari Turiddu – Piazza Turi Ferro, 36/38 (Catania) 
  Call to book +39 0957150142
• Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti – SP68 Vittoria-Pedalino Km 3.3. Reserve a visit: INFO@AGRICOLAOCCHIPINTI.IT

The post Stanley Tucci in Sicily. Tops, Tips and Flops. appeared first on Streaty.

You won’t believe this! or maybe you will! Just like Christmas and other Christian celebrations, St.Valentine’s day has a past in the pagan rites. We are going to discuss this and also find the connection with food. What food do Italians eat on these days and what food is directly connected to love (in all its senses) in Italy?

Needless to say, If you want to pick a city in Italy where to impress your better half and spend a proper romantic time, you must go to Venice?  and since food and love are life companions, the gift can’t but be a private food and wine tour of Venice with Streaty!

ST VALENTINE BEFORE THE SAINTS

Have you ever heard of the Lupercalia? Lupercalia stands for “the feast of Luperco”. Luperco – from Latin lupus, wolf – was an ancient pagan God worshipped and celebrated in Roman times. During the Lupercalia, romans would basically random match couples as a result of a draw. An innocent child’s hand was in charge of doing the draw? the child as personification of Cupid.  
The new lucky couples (hopefully for them!) they have the right to spend their Lupercalia together…party time!
Let’s get serious again. As you can easily understand, this rite would celebrate fertility. It is not a case that many pagan rites and feasts wishing fertility were places right before spring or at its beginning. It’s the time when men have to boost the fertility of their lands waiting for rich harvests. 
You can read the same way Easter, the Resurrection, when the fruits of Nature resurrect!

ST VALENTINE SUPERSTAR

In 496 Pope Gelasio I established St.Valentine’s day and doing so he did cancel the former pagan rite and made it Christian.

So who was Mr Valentine? Nowadays he would work as a couple therapist. Back then he was an Italian Bishop based in Terni (Umbria, the green heart of Italy). But he was not any bishop! Valentine made his reputation as the man who would help “unblessed” couples get together. The Emperor could not bear the fact that Valentine would facilitate these encounters and celebrate their union without his official approval. And just like many other saints, Valentine’s destiny was written…imprisoned, tortured…Martyred. So, Another Martyr joined the list of holy men and women who would pace our calendar.

According to the story, Valentine never gave up to Love. During his detention he fell in love with his warden’s daughter. Guess what?Valentine’s last words were spent for love, in a love letter! And this is the origins of the American tradition of sending “valentines” letter to impress their better half! Keep doing it lovers!

ITALIAN FOOD IN SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY

We would disappoint you this time. There is not a specific St Valentine’s dish in Italy. However, since this is the day of love and fertility, let’s take a look at what Italians would eat to empower these emotions…and instincts! 

BACI PERUGINA, MARKETING OF LOVE

The Baci Perugina! There is no tradition that welcomes this delicious hazelnut chocolate…it’s just marketing! The Perugina company made such a massive promotion in the past decades that it is nowadays considered the Italian chocolate of love. The bacio perugina is in the market since 1922 and it became the official love treat coz each delicious chocolate topped with an hazelnut goes with a small piece of paper that reads a love dedication! 

ZABAIONE, MAMA’S CURE

Zabaione is a delicious cream made with egg, sugar and marsala wine. It’s used to stuff cakes. In Palermo you can find the ice cream version of sabbione, it’s called “zuppa inglese”! 
According to Italian mama’s theory Zabaione would grant extra energies to their sons to be spent in more intense love performances! Not kidding! This is not an old tradition! Italian mamas still do it!
Is it only a coincidence that in these days that match with Carnival (another celebration of abundance) Venetians make frittelle with Zabaione??? I would say it is not.

FRITTELLE VENEZIANE

The birth of the frittella  – “fritea” in Venetian language – can be dated back to 7 centuries ago! This is not a story, it’s history, the evidence is readable on a document preserved in the Biblioteca Casanatese in Rome. The standard frittella dough contains flour, milk, sugar, yeast, egg. Don’t forget to add in the mixture some raisins! This is now the official Carnival treat in Veneto region. Come to Venice in February and try the frittella with zabbaione cream! Celebrate taste and fertility in Venice.

TIRAMISU’

Do you actually know what tiramisù mean? It means “lift me up!”.

Yes, it’s always about sex in Italy! According to the story, the tiramisu was made by a brothel “maitresse” in Treviso. The brothel’s landlady would help her clients reinvigorate after their daily sin by offering them this delicious and energetic cake. Sinful love, but still love.
And see what you have inside the tiramisù cream? Egg and sugar! Many Italians also enrich the cream with a licor…here it comes again…the zabaione cream!

Guys…you know you don’t have to mess up with food in Italy. Two regions compete for being the fathers of Tiramisù, Friuli and Veneto.
We stand for Veneto and its erotic story. If you wanna try the best tiramisu of Venice, join us on the evening Venice food and wine tour…Your palate will not regret!

The post Valentine’s Day: saints, sins, savors appeared first on Streaty.

First of all, it is not about sport. Actually we don’t do much sport…unless people watching is considered one. Obesity is not a major social issue in Italy because Italians care about food quality more than anything else. Italian meals don’t happen by chance. Italian meals are carefully planned. There is no lunch in Italy that hasn’t been previously planned according to a precise scheme.

So let’s dive into this topic.

How do Italians plan their meals?

Italians eat well, eat a lot but stay fit because they generally follow a well-balanced nutrition that includes a wide variety of foods.
If I had pizza yesterday night, today I will try to avoid carbs for lunch, so I am going to make a salad! If I had a margherita pizza yesterday night and I had a salad for lunch…what am I going to cook today for dinner? Let’s say…steak and peas! And what happens tomorrow? Tomorrow for lunch I will cook spaghetti with fresh basil pesto. And for dinner? Well…In my former meals I had pizza, salad, steak, pasta…then my dinner is gonna be fish! And so on…

Italian breakfast: as easy as sugar

The Italian breakfast is sweet. According to contemporary i-wanna-be-a-nutritionist-but-i-don-want-to-study bloggers, the sweet breakfast is a disastrous way to start a day, whereas according to Italians this is the only way to sprint up your morning attention.
So what do we really eat for breakfast to stay so fit?

The standard Italian breakfast is a croissant and a coffee or a cappuccino.

You will never see an Italian having egg and sausages for breakfast. You may see Florentines devouring veal stomach sandwiches at 10 am right, but those gentlemen are probably coming from a very early wake up call! Our breakfast is sweet because we need sugar to get the right energies to start moving our hands…how would we talk otherwise?

Italian lunch: pasta all day everyday?

While breakfast might be considered by Italians as a quick pit-stop between bed and work, lunch and dinner are considered much more important eating moments (Lunch and dinner involves sociality!).
So once again, how do Italians manage to stay fit? I began this article underlining that Italians plan their meals. This is what happens for real!
I know what you’re wondering now…so what about pasta…don’t you have it everyday!? Indeed we do, almost everyday yes. However, we don’t consider spaghetti with tomato sauce the same dish of tortellini in broth. Still pasta, correct, but different dish! 
In conclusion: Italians generally eat pasta for lunch BUT…with fresh products and homemade sauces!

What’s an Italian dinner like?

Italian dinner is generally fish or meat with a veggy side dish.
Dinner is the main family moment, the moment to share with the rest of  your family the gossips collected during the day at work or at school. This moment requires a bottle of red wine on the table which will help everybody loosen their tongue and get into the details of their gossip report.
Find below a list of classical Italian dinner dishes:
– Cotoletta alla Milanese and fries 
– Boiled veal in broth also renowned as bollito.
– Sicilians hardly resist to have a swordfish or tuna steak served with some pan-cooked vegs.
As you can read, I haven’t mentioned pizza yet! Coz pizza comes in the dinner section. The pizza moment for Italians is Saturday night. That’s the time to reserve your favorite pizzeria in time!

Italians do not eat pizza for lunch. Read the Italian Food Bible.

KEYWORDS TO UNDERSTAND WHY ITALIANS CAN EAT WITHOUT GETTING FAT

Cooking. As you could read along this article I did use the verb cook many times, because this is what we do on a daily basis. This is one of the reasons why we eat well, we eat a lot and we stay fit. We cook ourselves.

Fresh. We use fresh products. Even we do it sometimes, we do consider a bad choice to top pasta with a jarred tomato sauce bought at the groucery store…even if we are talking about the top quality sauce available in the market. Quality stays in real tomatoes, not in jars. Fresh basil, fresh olive oil bought directly from the producer, fresh bread coming from the baker, meat butchered by your friend’s uncle. Know what I mean!? 

Human quantities. Normally the questions is…How come Italians eat so much and don’t get fat? Simple! At home we do not fill our plate with the same amount of pasta you get served at restaurants. We tend to cook much smaller portions at home…when I say we…I mean for ourselves.

When we cook for the family it’s another story. Read the Italian christmas meal Survival guide!

Blog Author
MARCO ROMEO – STREATY’S CEO
“Marco is a Sicilian tour guide and founder of Streaty Tours company. He is graduted in foreing languages. He lived in many places around Europe and Arab countries. His tapping on the keyboard is guided by an innate passion for food, especially street food.”

The post Italians eat and stay fit. How come! appeared first on Streaty.