• Food & Wine
    • Mountains

Local specialties in valtellina

A small area of ​​Lombardy with a rich gastronomic tradition

Valtellina is a region rich with high-quality products that are famous all over the world. Their most important products include cheeses (such as Bitto cheese), wine, pizzoccheri pasta, bresaola (dried beef) and bitters.

 

Tradition has it that in the mountain pastures in the summer, the milk is transformed into precious Bitto cheese, while the return of the herds in the valley is linked to the production of the Valtellina Casera once only available in winter, which can now be found throughout the year. Expert shepherds and cheese makers, the Celts, to conserve and transfer the nutritional properties of milk over time, began to produce long-keeping cheeses, and it is likely that the etymology of the name Bitto, deriving from "Bitu", may indicate something that is persistent. Since 1996, these cheeses have been awarded the Protected Designation of Origin: their production technology is defined by the respective disciplines to ensure their unique quality. After they have aged for 70 days, the wheels of cheese are inspected one by one, by the technicians of the Consortium that apply the fire brand of quality.

The first historical evidence attesting to the production of Bresaola dates back to the 15th century. The origin of the name Bresaola can traced to the Germanic word "brasa", meaning embers, since braziers were used in ancient times to heat and dehumidify the air in the aging rooms. The braziers unleashed an aromatic smoke that was obtained by throwing juniper berries and bay leaves on burning coals of fir wood.

Another important delicacy is Pizzoccheri della Valtellina. The earliest origins of this buckwheat pasta can be traced back to 1750 when it was cited in a will. Buckwheat, the main ingredient constituting the heart of the recipe, originally came from Siberia (the cultivation of this crop in Italy is dated around the 15th century, in Teglio). The first crop of furmentun dates back to the 1600s. In terms of red wines, Valtellina is a major producer. The Denomination of Origin (D.O.) of Valtellina boasts 2 DOCG (Sforzato di Valtellina and Valtellina Superiore) 1 DOC (Rosso di Valtellina) and 1 IGT (Terrazze Retiche di Sondrio), with vineyards covering about 800 hectares.

Some of Valtellina's bitters most worthy of mention include braùlio and fruit grappa. Bràulio is a liqueur aperitif, digestive and tonic, with a pleasantly bitter taste and moderate alcohol content (21 %). Its main ingredients are herbs and medicinal plants, fruits, roots and wild berries, collected in the mountains surrounding Bormio, the pristine environment of the Stelvio National Park. Grappa, on the other hand, is made with characteristic flavours including blueberries, wild strawberries and raspberries.

Take me here: Local specialties in valtellina

On the same topic

Agritourism in Pavia: where you feel ‘naturally’ at home

Dove è naturale sentirsi a casa
  • Food & Wine
Agritourism in Pavia: where you feel ‘naturally’ at home

Zucca Berrettina di Lungavilla

A Lungavilla viene coltivata una zucca chiamata ‘Capé da prèvi’, cappello da prete, per la forma che richiama il copricapo dei sacerdoti
  • Food & Wine
Zucca Berrettina di Lungavilla

Sbrisolona Cake Recipe

It is a Mantuan cake tied to the peasant tradition based on almonds
  • Food & Wine
Sbrisolona Cake Recipe, a unique dessert

Freshwater fish: a true Lombardian menu

Lake and river fish in Lombardy: between tradition and innovation, Lombardian fish cuisine offers up some delicious dishes
  • Food & Wine
Pesce d’acqua dolce: un menù tutto lombardo - Tinca

Miccone

  • Food & Wine
Miccone di Stradella

The wine and tastes route

A fascinating route, that leads you to the discovery of the Nebbiolo delle Alpi
  • Food & Wine
The wine and tastes route

Teglio, the home of pizzoccheri

The small Valtellina town of Teglio is the home of pizzoccheri, the tasty dish of buckwheat pasta with cheese and vegetables
  • Food & Wine
Pizzoccheri, Valtellina

Cremona Local Products Guide

meats and cheeses characterize the Cremonese gastronomy
  • Food & Wine
Cremona local products guide, gourmet experiences

Cremona Nougat Recipe

It is a variation of the traditional sweet that includes the addition of aromas such as vanillin and candied fruit, which make the mixture softer based on sugar, honey and album
  • Food & Wine
Cremona Nougat Recipe, homemade goodness

At table with traditional Lombardy food recycling recipes

Traditional Lombardy cuisine recipes using leftover bread, meat, cheeses and vegetables - transforming them into tasty new dishes.
  • Food & Wine
At table with traditional Lombardy food recycling recipes

8 summer festivals not to be missed

Festivals that reveal a region rich with tradition and plenty of tasty treats!
  • Food & Wine
Sagra di San Giovanni - Ossuccio - Isola Comacina

IGP Apples of Valtellina

This type of apple has all the characteristics of mountain apple: crunchy, fragrant, aromatic and juicy
  • Food & Wine
Apples

Typical Lombardy mountain dishes

Discover Lombardy's typical high-altitude dishes. Dive into traditional Alpine cuisine and its authentic flavours
  • Food & Wine
Typical Lombardy mountain dishes - Pizzoccheri Valtellina

Taleggio

Taleggio DOP, a great talent of Italian cuisine makes Italians good forks, true gourmets
  • Food & Wine
Taleggio

The appetizers of the Lombardic tradition

We bring the traditional Lombardic gastronomic culture back to the table, starting with appetizers
  • Food & Wine
The appetizers of the Lombardic tradition

Milan, capital of taste

From the skyscrapers to the fields of crops. Milan is a city of thousand cultures and its surrounding area a land of a thousand flavours
  • Food & Wine
Milan, capital of taste

Wine Cellars in Casteggio

An ancient village in the Oltrepò Pavese, rich in high quality vineyards
  • Food & Wine
Wine cellars in Casteggio, a hidden treasure

Eating in Val Sabbia

The authentic taste of Val Sabbian cuisine
  • Food & Wine
Spiedo bresciano

Where to eat in Lecco

  • Food & Wine
The 6 best proposals about where to eat in Lecco

Pizzoccheri Valtellinesi Recipe

They are the symbol of a tradition rich in flavors linked to the land and to the art of cheese making
  • Food & Wine
Pizzoccheri Valtellinesi recipe, traditional flavors