• 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

Cremona Local Products Guide

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

Oltrepò Pavese

Good food, excellent wine, medieval villages. The Oltrepò Pavese surprises and conquers with its charm.
  • Food & Wine
Oltrepò Pavese, a borderland triangle

Delicious Bergamo!

  • Food & Wine
Tagliere di salumi bergamaschi

Flavors and Products from Garda

Lake Garda is an ideal place for gourmets and wine lovers
  • Food & Wine
Discover the flavors and products from Garda

The road of Cremona's flavours

The best elements of Cremona's territory in a selection of products, places and itineraries proposed by The Road of Cremona'sFlavours.
  • Food & Wine
The road of Cremona's flavours

What to do in franciacorta

Land of wine, nature and history between Bergamo and Brescia. Franciacorta an experience that leaves all your senses satisfied.
  • Food & Wine
What to do In Franciacorta

Il Polentone di Retorbido

The beautiful spring festival dedicated to the wise farmer Bertoldo
  • Food & Wine
Polentone di Retorbido

IGP Apples of Valtellina

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

Taste and relaxation in the vineyards

From hills to wineries, welcoming the autumn on a journey through tasting, culture, and relaxation.
  • Food & Wine
Vigneti in Lombardia@inLombardia

Bresaola

One of the symbolic products of Valtellina, obtained through the method of preserving meat by salting and drying.
  • Food & Wine
Bresaola

Polenta e Bruscitt Recipe

Typical dish of Lombardy made with polenta and stewed beef strips
  • Food & Wine
Polenta e Bruscitt recipe, a specialty from Busto Arsizio

Lecco culture and flavour

Visiting Lecco? Well, you don’t need to worry about getting lost.
  • Food & Wine
Lecco cultura e sapori

Local Products of Lombardy

Lombardy is also a gastronomic journey of tastes and flavors to be discovered
  • Food & Wine
Local products of Lombardy, try them all

Fagiolo Borlotto di Gambolò

The Borlotto bean has been cultivated for centuries in the agricultural area of Gambolò and its immediate surroundings.
  • Food & Wine
Fagioli Borlotto

Autumn aromas and flavours

A journey through the authentic local flavours and products that reflect the traditions of Lombardy - from land to table
  • Food & Wine
Autumn aromas and flavours

Wine and Flavor Tra il Garda

  • Food & Wine
Wine and Flavor Tra il Garda

Flavors on the lakes: Como and Varese

Lakes and mountains. Tasty dishes, heritage of rural culture
  • Food & Wine
Flavors on the lakes: Como and Varese

Eating in Lodi: starters to dessert

From cheese to amaretto biscuits, here's all you need to know to indulge in some delicious Lodi specialities
  • Food & Wine
Risotto_giallo_con_la_raspadura

Franciacorta Wine

An ancient art that unites, in perfect union, with the most modern technologies and the mastery of the winemakers of the territory
  • Food & Wine
Franciacorta wine, an international success

Cremona and the project EastLombardy

Cremona and its sweetness are closer than what you think
  • Food & Wine
Marubini