Top 5 Friuli-Venezia Giulia Food & Drink: A Tasty Tour
Alright, so you are looking to experience some of the amazing tastes that Italy has available? You’ve come to just the right spot, then. Friuli-Venezia Giulia, that area way up in northeastern Italy, where it hugs the borders of Austria and Slovenia, offers visitors a fascinating array of edibles and potables. This region, which often gets overlooked in favor of Tuscany or Rome, is basically a true gem for anyone serious about their food. The blending of cultures creates something so very distinctive in this part of Italy, and their cooking and drink show that very influence perfectly. We are going to explore what basically makes this place so unique by examining the top five foods and drinks you should totally experience if you happen to come out this way. Be prepared to have your taste buds jump with delight and start scheduling a plane ticket!
1. San Daniele Prosciutto: The Sweetest Ham Around
Ah, San Daniele prosciutto is just on another level! It’s more or less the king of cured hams in Friuli. What sets it a bit apart, I guess, is the super careful process and special climate of San Daniele del Friuli, that little town where it is actually made. You might think prosciutto is all the same, yet that would just be inaccurate. The air there, which is just a little mix of breezes coming down from the Alps and in off the Adriatic Sea, gives the meat a sweetness and tenderness that you won’t typically find anywhere else. What happens, basically, is that each slice melts right away on your tongue, releasing salty, a bit nutty, almost sweet flavors. You can find it anywhere out there; sometimes they offer a charcuterie board with local cheeses or simply folded over breadsticks, basically showing you exactly what the heart of Friulian cuisine is.
I can almost recall, that first trip I had out to Friuli, grabbing San Daniele prosciutto at this very local shop. Seeing how carefully they hand-sliced each piece to achieve that perfect thickness – that’s something that just stuck with me! You need to experience this thing for yourself; I would seriously vouch that tasting this prosciutto directly from its origin basically changes your view regarding Italian cured meats. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (San Daniele Prosciutto)
Read our full review: San Daniele Prosciutto Full Review and Details
2. Frico: Crispy Cheese Perfection
Alright, so here is something else, something you cannot miss! Frico is arguably an emblem for Friulian cooking in general; I would definitely consider it that. At its heart, frico is very simple – it is made from Montasio cheese, but trust me, do not let that deceive you, as it’s so tasty. The cheese gets melted and fried into just a crispy pancake, even with several variations depending upon the location and recipe of the people creating the frico. It’s one of those peasant foods that really got more fancy because its humbleness just feels extremely satisfying and great. Some locations feature only cheese, while you will spot places adding potatoes or maybe apples into the blend for a savory yet slightly sweet thing. Either variation gives this flavorful crunch, kind of acting like this explosion within your mouth when you finally eat it. Very commonly, you’ll find frico provided as an appetizer, that you might enjoy with some rustic bread, or basically alone to allow it to shine by itself.
I remember actually attempting to create frico at my own home one evening, more or less using a cookbook I grabbed while I was at that trip! What basically appeared straightforward soon became this enjoyable—even when it had slightly burnt. Just give it a shot and don’t feel discouraged, you could find yourself pleasantly surprised when creating this staple Friulian food in your cooking location. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Frico Friuli)
Read our full review: Frico Full Review and Details
3. Montasio Cheese: A Taste of the Mountains
Speaking of cheese, Montasio definitely should not be dismissed! In some respects, this semi-hard cheese takes its name from that actual mountain region that it started in, plus it offers various flavors according to how long that it’s matured. So, that means that we can have cheese at any stage from rather fresh, delicate tasting to aged, when it offers these really bold characteristics. Fresh Montasio actually features smooth plus milky notes and is very perfect in case you desire simply melting on several dishes as appetizers and/or even served grated on some pasta recipes, I guess. Then again, if you get some older variety, it usually turns stronger so you will definitely discover caramel in the cheese itself – it makes a superb nibble in order to match along alongside those of regional wines coming directly out from Friuli.
Visiting several neighborhood farms out in Friuli was an actual treat due to that I actually got viewing where the cheese came out, plus just tasting unique old cheese kinds, too, directly after that place in which that was specifically produced basically became this highlight coming out from that trip – the true character just makes an actual feeling linked with where cheese started initially plus that really creates food appear far more real in contrast against all those we might see from supermarkets usually over here in other territories altogether. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Montasio Cheese)
Read our full review: Montasio Cheese Full Review and Details
4. Friulano Wine (Sauvignonasse): The Region’s White Star
Okay, basically prepare to acquire all those wines available! Any dining adventure within that Friuli region basically should consider some appreciation for its own stunning local drinks – most precisely that which many people find amazing. Or consider: white friulano wine; otherwise described: “Sauvignonasse,” it’s simply an amazingly superb specimen indeed! Yet, frequently you might be having difficulties acquiring somewhere just so genuine particularly simply based upon what precisely area is generally – do have some attempt discovering locations! This tastes actually crisp which has quite many fragrances which come completely from grapefruits; some have hints almost resembling almonds in flavor profiles along alongside any food stuff that would range between just any salads from veggies toward various sea products very often consumed at eating adventures from Italy itself particularly given anything lighter in feel/taste rather heavy types too.
Having certain day excursions to vineyards from that neighborhood really has turned from the best experiences in existence really with some specific reason to recall with pleasure; I honestly mean viewing several different hillsides entirely coated over throughout by vineyards or grape-like herbs; studying by different generations who really placed love or soul directly with wine making entirely made this drinking encounter extremely memorable! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Friulano Wine)
Read our full review: Friulano Wine Full Review and Details
5. Gubana: A Sweet Ending
Here is our special treat, a bit unlike all we came across so far! Basically, Gubana really features kind of nutty ingredients filled to completely make it sweet completely alongside all events of occasions. So just be careful alongside such intake levels; just joking – proceed as desired. Usually that occurs in that Valli del Natisone, however generally symbolizes how festive they truly can truly present themselves particularly through whatever celebratory event arises as such in such Italian states whenever one looks closer plus appreciates something such local Gubanas themselves truly. That features nuts within plus often fruit – some use even the liquors which allows that sweet taste become just very delightful for all those whom find desserts like sweets something worthy just for the sweet-tooth specifically! All things done should always come a truly deserving close as things progress alongside trips such within, so if planning traveling towards this area just never forget exploring every possible food that means a dessert needs proper trying too – there comes almost certainly countless experiences through where ever each journey will probably head for that destination ultimately regardless given what taste that becomes most favorite over-ally throughout every stop planned ahead!
The celebration alongside friends almost all the occasion inside small store offered myself truly something to consider about during visits, too – there are generally just various stories around origins, ways made almost completely inside families plus it had literally always very tasty – really I strongly insist someone should check the things during a tour for something totally extraordinary just regarding italian cakes experiences! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Gubana dessert)
Read our full review: Gubana dessert Full Review and Details Here are the most memorable foods and drink experiences from Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Make some notes.
- San Daniele Prosciutto: Sample it for yourself! It is the “sweetest ham around.”
- Frico: Don’t skip out on this one! It is truly “Crispy Cheese Perfection.”
- Montasio Cheese: Take a hike to the mountains to enjoy its rich taste.
- Friulano Wine: Always a great wine choice to enjoy in the summer!
- Gubana: Nuts for the win. Great for a light, sweet dessert!
