7 Dishes You Must Eat In Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Considered by many as the gastronomic centre of Italy (no mean feat in a country famous for its cuisine), Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy is home to the world’s best restaurant, Osteria Francescana, located in the city of Modena. But go into almost any restaurant, the more unassuming the better, and you won’t be disappointed with what you taste. There you will find hearty meals without too many airs, made using local ingredients, which evoke a homemade warmth.

Lacking the popularity of regions such as Tuscany and Umbria, we decided to visit the less touristy Emilia-Romagna as part of a road trip through France and northern Italy taking us to the cities of Modena, Bologna and Parma. Here are five dishes and food which we particularly enjoyed during our week-long stay in the region as a family.

Tagliatelle al Ragu

Tagliatelle al ragu is the most famous dish from the city of Bologna but whatever you do, don’t ask for spaghetti bolognese! It is thought that the westernised dish is a British and American interpretation of Bologna’s meat dish which servicemen fell in love with when passing through the region during World War 2. But the real Bologna ragu is made with tagilatelle rather than spaghetti (which is from Naples) and it isn’t slathered in tomatoes but more about the meat. One of the ragus we tasted used a mix of pork and beef. It is a delicious dish and a must-eat in Bologna!

Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano)

When in Parma you don’t just sprinkle a bit of parmesan on your pasta. Ordering parmesan (or parmigiano-reggiano) as part of the antipasti results in getting a huge chunk of the strong cheese to eat (alongside a pile of prosciutto). It is not for the faint-hearted and we didn’t manage to eat all of ours although our daughter, Mrs T, gave it a good go.

Parma Ham

Specially bred pigs with a specific diet (which includes Parmigiano-Reggiano) are used to make prosciutto di Parma. Only authorised producers within a certain area around Parma are allowed, by law, to carry its name and be branded with the ‘Parma Crown’. Parma’s version is simply divine, a melt in the mouth sensation which has a slightly nutty taste to it. The ham was well worth me trying even though I was pregnant (and supposedly not allowed to eat cured ham).

Gnocco Fritto

These fried puffs of bread from the Emilia-Romagna region are absolutely delicious. Served with salami, ham and cheese as part of the antipasti, the soft puffs of Italian bread are a welcome addition to the starter and once again my daughter was a big fan.

Tortellini in brodo

Traditionally served on Christmas day, the dish of stuffed tortellini in broth is delicious all year around. I am a big fan of the warming soup and it was a winner with Mrs T too. Clearly Emilia-Romagna has lots of food options for children.

Balsamic Vinegar

Modena is the home of balsamic vinegar so you need to indulge in a bit sampling while you are there and make sure you buy traditional ‘Aceto Balsamico’ to take home with you (we got ours from the indoor food market in Modena). This traditional type of aged balsamic vinegar is different from the commercially produced ‘Balsamic Vinegar of Modena’ which you probably have in your kitchen cupboard.

More expensive than the mass produced version (we paid around €20), Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale is made from a reduction of pressed Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes and is aged for at least nine years in wooden barrels. It has a delicious, rich taste and should be used on meat and even on some desserts rather than in salads (use the cheaper vinegar for that). Its rich taste and high price tag is probably why you won’t find it on the restaurant tables mixed with olive oil. We didn’t see that once during our travels around Emilia-Romagna.

Gelato

To be sampled over and over again. And again. Italian ice cream really is the best. From zesty sorbets to decadent chocolate choices, there’s something for all tastes, and we did our best at sampling a range. Just make sure you have some wipes and spare napkins to hand, especially if with young children (although handy for adults too)!

To drink, try the local red Lambrusco (I’m not saying it’s a patch on the white fizz but worth a try) and a glass of full-bodied sangiovese. 

If you are a foodie and haven’t visited Emilia-Romagna, you really need to plan a trip there!