Anyone who knows us well will know that one of the reasons we love Italy so much is because of the delicious food it offers. The region of Umbria is no exception. An Umbria villa holiday really is the ideal way to experience the local specialities to the full. Head to the local market to find the pick of the crops from local producers, or visit your local village store to sample what they have to offer, before savouring your delicacies back in the comfort of your villa rental.
So here are our top 10 foods to try on your next Umbria villa holiday. Of course, it’s by no means an exhaustive list of everything you will discover but it’s a start!
1) Truffles
Umbria is one of the biggest truffle producing areas in Italy. Here you can find both black and white truffles. The black truffles (tuber melanosporum) are most common and can be found all year round. However the more precious white truffles (tuber bagnatum) are normally found between October and December. In Umbria, due to their unique taste, truffles are usually incorporated into simple dishes such as pasta and risotto.
2) Ragù d’agnello
This ragu sauce originated in Umbria and is made up of lamb, garlic, rosemary and tomatoes. This simple sauce is usually served with homemade tagliatelle. We highly recommend that you try this dish in the city of Foligno as this is where the recipe was born.
3) Pecorino
Pecorino is one of Italy’s oldest cheeses made out of sheep’s milk. Its hard but creamy texture is absolutely delicious, especially grated over a fresh bowl of pasta. Pecorino is a staple ingredient in the famous pasta dish, Cacio e Pepe, which is a must try if you see it on a menu. Or, more simply, pecorino cheese can be eaten on its own, simply dipped in honey. This is a great option to include in your evening aperitivo on your Umbria villa holiday.
4) Crescionda
Crecionda is a traditional Umbrian dish which originated from the city of Spoleto. This dessert is a variation on a chocolate cake which includes amaretti biscuits and Sambuca. The delicious sweet treat can be paired perfectly with a small glass of limoncello on the side, which is another must to try when visiting the area.
5) Pigeon
This may seem an odd choice but pigeon is actually one of Umbria’s specialities. One of the many ways pigeon is cooked in Umbria is palomba alla ghiotta when the pigeon is cooked on a spit, stuffed and then covered in a subtle jus. The meat is dark and tender and we recommend you try it if you get the chance during your Umbria villa holiday.
6) Roast suckling pig
Umbria is known for its wide variety of meat dishes but the most famous is probably the roasted pig. Normally the pig is stuffed with diced innards and seasoned with herbs including fennel before being roasted on a spit. You can try this for a heavy lunch or just a light afternoon snack.
7) Crostini
These are small slices of toasted bread which are served with various toppings. These include crostini al tartufo which are topped with black truffles, or crostini alla norcina which include anchovies, chicken livers and truffles. These are just a couple examples though. They can be topped with a whole variety of other ingredients. These are another perfect snack to include with your aperitivo or with a glass of Umbrian wine at sunset.
8) Wild boar
Known as cinghiale in Italy, this delicious meat is commonly served with pasta or on its own and is particularly found in both Umbria and Tuscany. The meat can also be used to make sausages and salami but the most famous dish is the wild boar ragu served with pappardelle pasta. You are bound to find this dish in local restaurants in Umbria during your Umbria villa holiday and we highly recommend trying it out.
9) Figs
In Autumn time, fresh figs can be picked all across Italy but Umbria’s figs are well known for their sweet taste. Figs can be served sweet or savoury, just drizzled with honey or on top of some prosciutto and cheese. Figs can also be seen on white pizzas which are pizzas served without the traditional layer of tomatoes. The soft, sweet fruits are perfect anytime of the day and a must try especially if you are visiting Umbria at the end of September or October.
10) Cured meats
The small town of Norcia in Umbria is well known for its delicious cured meats which can be bought in butchers called norcinos. These shops have a huge amount of history dating back to the Roman times when the norcinos were seen as being so skilled that they would even be asked to perform operations on humans! Luckily these days they confine their butchery skills to animals! These butchers are great to explore whilst also getting to taste the delicious cured meats and salamis.