Lombardy & Milan Food Travel
Lombardy is a region in Northern Italy that includes its capital, Milan, and the city of Como with the stunning scenery of Lake Como as a backdrop.
The region extends from its mountainous border with Switzerland in the north to the Emilia Romagna Region in the south.
Because Lombardy is bordered by the Veneto Region and Emilia Romagna, it shares many of the same staples. Characteristic of the region is Risotto alla milanese which has saffron, and rice dishes are common throughout the region.
Polenta is another food shared with other regions and dishes that are polenta based are eaten in all parts of the region. In fact, in the mountainous parts of the region polenta is considered as important a staple as rice.
Lombardy is also Italy’s top agricultural area with the most productive area for agriculture centered in the Po River valley. Here farmers produce rice, wheat, maize.
At higher elevations cereals, vegetables, and fruits are produced. Fruit, grapes, and olives are produced in the foothills. The region is a cornucopia of food items, all locally produced and seasonally enjoyed.
Every city and part of the region has a specialty it claims as its own. Lombard dishes include Cotoletta (breaded veal cutlet) and Cassoeula (a hearty stew made with pork and cabbage).
A famous Lombard specialty is Osso buco traditionally made from veal shanks braised with vegetables and white wine.
The Lombards enjoy their desserts such as Mostarda, a condiment made of candied fruit and a mustard flavored syrup, and the Christmas cake, Panettone.
As for the wine in Lombardy, red wines are produced from delicious Nebbiolo grapes.