Italy is a feast for the senses year-round, but during Christmas times the culinary experience reaches another level! When the family gathers at Mamma’s house, things get serious. Italian Christmas cuisine offers a unique blend of regional flavors, artisanal traditions, and seasonal ingredients, perfect for any foodie traveler to explore. You can easily get the chance to try some of these delicious treats on our street food tour in Naples or any other Streaty! But still…keep this list in your pocket. Here is our top 10 must-try Italian Christmas treats!
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.
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