Foods You Have to Try in Tuscany

Individuals across the globe visit Tuscany for the food alone – and while there are plenty of things that make this part of central Italy an amazing holiday destination, anyone staying in this stunning region has to try at least a few of the many delicious Tuscan foods.

There are countless traditional dishes and snacks that are just spectacular; here are just some of the ones you might want to try during your stay.

Panzanella

Panzanella, a combination of the words pan (meaning bread) and zanella (an old word for bowl), is a tasty cold bread salad that you have to try before leaving Tuscany. This dish’s main ingredients are unsalted bread, red onions, basil, olive oil, tomatoes, vinegar and salt, so you can rest assured that panzanella (like most other Tuscan foods) is healthy.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Certainly not a suitable meal for vegetarians, the bistecca alla Fiorentina (or in English, Florentine T-bone steak) is a must try for any meat lovers visiting the stunning region. Taken from the loin of a young steer, this meal has a T-shaped bone with the sirloin on one side and the delicious fillet on the other. They’re generally 1.5 to 2 kg and are usually around 4 cm thick, so you’re sure to get plenty of delicious meat from this meal.

Ribollita

While it’s rather uncommon for individuals to visit Tuscany during the winter, those who do stay at this time of year have to try Ribollita soup. This is one of the most popular winter dishes in the region and contains a healthy mix of cabbage, carrots, onions and beans.

Lampredotto sandwich

Another food you must try during your stay in Tuscany is the delicious lampredotto sandwich. Lampredotto, the meat, is the fourth stomach of the cow. It’s often cooked in a delicious broth before being put into the sandwich. In most cases, it’s served with a spicy sauce or salsa verde.

Crostini toscani

While crostini toscani isn’t the craziest meal available in Tuscany, you may find it to be a little out of the norm. This meal is simply chicken liver sauce spread on frusta (a type of bread that’s similar to baguettes). But if you’re looking for a tasty lunch while exploring the wondrous region, this might be the perfect dish for you.

Pappa al pomodoro

Pappa al pomodoro is a dish that’s popular across the peninsula during the winter time. But since it originated in Tuscany, you may find that this region offers the very best version of this soup. Generally, it’s made with tomatoes, basil leaves and garlic – and traditionally, stale Tuscan bread.