• 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

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

Traditional cheeses of lombardy

It is from Lombardy that some of the most famous Italian cheeses come from all over the world
  • Food & Wine
Traditional cheeses of Lombardy

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

Wine and Flavor Trail Franciacorta

Among rows of vines with perfect geometries that cross small villages rich in history, traditions, farms, cellars and signs of human activity: discover Franciacorta
  • Food & Wine
Wine and Flavor Trail Franciacorta,

Wines of Valtellina

The extreme variety of the Lombardy territories is reflected in a very wide range of absolutely fine and famous red and white wines all over the world
  • Food & Wine
Discover and savor the wines of Valtellina

Cremona Local Products Guide

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

Cassoeula in Brianza

Typical Lombard dish of peasant origin
  • Food & Wine
Cassoeula in Brianza, history and variations

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

Brasadè di Staghiglione

Il Brasadè, ciambelline d’origine ottocentesca
  • Food & Wine
Brasadé di Staghiglione

Mantua Local Products Guide

Mantua beyond for its historical richness, is famous also for the numerous typical gastronomic products and recipes handed down for generations
  • Food & Wine
Mantua Local Products Guide, the flavor of tradition

Eating in Val Sabbia

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

Panettone recipe

The secret of the preparation of the panettone: one of the typical sweets of the Milanese tradition
  • Food & Wine
Panettone recipe, a Milanese staple

Receipts of Cremona's tradition

Tasty news from the Museum of folk Culture “Cambonino”
  • Food & Wine
Receipts of Cremona's tradition

Flavours and aromas of Valtellina

The Valtellina is a place for relaxation and good living, not least because of its inviting food and wine. Let's go and discover it
  • Food & Wine
Flavours and aromas of Valtellina

Grana padano

Typical Italian DOP cheese
  • Food & Wine
Grana Padano

Consortium Salami Cremona IGP

An institution to identify, safeguard and promote on the market a typical product of the Po valley
  • Food & Wine
Consorzio Salame Cremona IGP

The mantua pumpkin

From peel to seeds, pumpkin is a real "jolly" in the kitchen
  • Food & Wine
The Mantua pumpkin

Eating in Como

Here are some suggestions of what to eat in Como
  • Food & Wine
Eating in Como, 3 culinary worlds and 5 different restaurants

Tripe a la Milanese Recipe

It is a second course based on meat and is ideal for lovers of ancient flavors
  • Food & Wine
Tripe a la Milanese recipe, how to prepare it

Parona offelle biscuits

  • Food & Wine
Parona offelle biscuits