Exploring Ravenna's Local Cuisine: Dishes, Restaurants & Recipes

Ravenna's Local Cuisine: A Culinary Journey

Ravenna, a beautiful city located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, is known not only for its stunning mosaics but also for its delectable local cuisine. With influences from both neighboring regions and the Adriatic Sea, Ravenna offers a diverse range of flavors and dishes that will satisfy any food lover's palate. Let's embark on a culinary journey through Ravenna's local cuisine.

Traditional Dishes

One cannot talk about Ravenna's cuisine without mentioning the famous piadina. This thin, unleavened bread is usually filled with various savory ingredients such as prosciutto, cheese, and arugula, making it a perfect on-the-go snack or a light meal. Another local specialty is cappelletti, a type of small pasta filled with a mixture of meats and served in a flavorful broth.

Ravenna is also renowned for its seafood dishes, thanks to its proximity to the Adriatic Sea. Try the risotto allo scoglio, a rich and creamy risotto cooked with a medley of fresh seafood, or the branzino al sale, a whole sea bass baked in a salt crust that locks in its natural flavors.

For meat lovers, the city offers delicacies like tagliatelle al ragù, a classic pasta dish topped with slow-cooked meat sauce, and cotechino con lenticchie, a hearty dish consisting of a slow-cooked pork sausage served with lentils.

Best Restaurants in Ravenna

Ravenna boasts a variety of excellent restaurants that showcase the city's local cuisine. Here are a few recommendations:

• Osteria del Tempo Perso - Located in the heart of Ravenna, this charming restaurant offers a menu featuring traditional dishes with a modern twist.
• Trattoria da Amerigo - Known for its warm and inviting atmosphere, this trattoria is famous for its homemade pasta and delicious seafood dishes.
• Ca' de Ven - Situated in the countryside surrounding Ravenna, this rustic restaurant is known for its traditional Emilian cuisine and organic ingredients sourced from local farmers.
• Osteria Passatelli - A family-run establishment that has been serving authentic Ravennate cuisine since 1962, Osteria Passatelli offers a cozy atmosphere and delicious homemade dishes.

Recipes to Try at Home

If you want to recreate the flavors of Ravenna's local cuisine in your own kitchen, here are a couple of traditional recipes to try:

Recipe 1: Piadina

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add the olive oil and water to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Divide the dough into small balls (about the size of a golf ball) and roll them out into thin, round discs.
5. Cook the piadinas on a hot griddle or a non-stick pan for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
6. Fill the piadinas with your favorite ingredients, such as prosciutto, cheese, and arugula.
7. Enjoy!

Recipe 2: Tagliatelle al Ragù

Ingredients:

• 1 pound tagliatelle pasta
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 1 celery stalk, finely diced
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, and sauté until the vegetables are softened.
2. Add the ground beef and pork to the saucepan, and cook until browned.
3. Pour in the red wine and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the saucepan, and season with salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
5. Reduce the heat to low and let the ragù simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
6. Cook the tagliatelle pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
7. Serve the cooked pasta with a generous portion of ragù on top, and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
8. Buon appetito!