There's no denying that Italy has one of the most delicious cuisines in the world. It's so rich and flavorful, every meal is a culinary experience you won't ever forget! Even more so if you enjoy a dish that's perfect for the season. Ones made with the freshest ingredients and the most tantalizing flavors. And for summer, some of these dishes include an anchovy pie, Melanzane, Spaghetti alle Vongole, Arancini, and for dessert, gelato, of course! Whether you'll be in Italy or not, treat yourself to those top 10 Italian dishes for summer!
Anchovy Pie
What's so great about anchovies is they're not exactly seasonal. No matter the time of year, you can still get a good helping of them if you want. But what makes them extra special during summer is that salty flavor. There's just something about its savoriness that's perfect for a warm-weather meal. It's no wonder that anchovies are
popular in Cinque Terre, Sardinia, and many other summer destinations in Italy. They bring out the flavors of the Mediterranean, even when they're baked in a fulfilling pie!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Spaghetti alle Vongole
No list of the 10 top Italian dishes is complete without mentioning any
type of pasta. And in summer, it's all about Spaghetti alle vongole! It's a fairly light but undeniably scrumptious dish where the seafood is once again the star of the show. This time around, it's the clam. This shellfish has such a unique piquant flavor to it that not even oily sauce or added tomatoes can water down its taste. Eat it for dinner and pair it with some white wine and you've for yourself a heavenly meal ahead of you!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Focaccia Pugliese with Tomatoes
Speaking of tomatoes, you'll find that this delectable vegetable (though some may argue it's a fruit) will appear on a good number of these top 10 dishes in Italy for summertime. One of which is Focaccia Pugliese, a kind of pizza where tomatoes are part of the main ingredients. Named after the beautiful
Puglia region in southern Italy, this dish is a lot different from the standard pizza that you're more familiar with. Instead of tomato sauce, for instance, this pizza makes use of tomato slices to get its flavor. Focaccia Pugliese is also substantially thicker compared to a regular pizza.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Burrata with Tomatoes
Burrata with tomatoes is always a winner of a summertime Italian dish too. And it's so simple to make too! Just get some Burrata cheese, mix in some mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, drizzle some olive oil over it, top it with pine nuts, and voila! The dish is done! It'll be great as a meal starter to help whet your appetite before the heavier courses are served. Moreover, it's the simplicity of the recipe that makes it a popular go-to dish around this time of the year.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Panzanella
Up for another salad? Why not try some Panzanella as well? This delicious Tuscan dish makes use of rustic and aged bread, ripe tomatoes, olives, basil, and sometimes, red bell pepper. Drizzled with olive oil to give it an extra savory kick, this dish will instantly tantalize your taste buds. As early as your first spoonful! And its region of origin, you just know that the Panzanella will pair exquisitely well with any of the fine wines produced in some of the best
vineyards of Italy.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Melanzane
You're popular with the famous lasagna dish, right? It's undoubtedly one of the 10 top Italian dishes of all time. The lasagna is so famous that even a certain cartoon cat can't get enough of it. And there's a good chance that the Italian restaurant near your place serves it too. So it's no surprise that a certain kind of lasagna made it unto this list: Melanzane! Made with eggplant instead of beef, this vegetarian-friendly dish is an equally satisfying and healthier option for the summertime. What's not to love?
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Schellenberg
Arancini
If you've been to Sicily, the biggest island in Italy, there's a good chance you've had some arancini. You probably didn't know what it was when you ate it, did you? After all, compared to the likes of lasagna and pizza, this dish isn't as popular. But that doesn't mean it's any less delicious! Because no matter how famous the other dishes are, there's just something about this risotto rice-filled fried balls that will captivate your palette at first bite. Enjoy it in the summertime, especially when you're exploring Sicily!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Gelato
From here on in, this list will focus on the best Italian desserts to enjoy in summer. And of course, the first one up is gelato! Perhaps the most famous treat to come from this southern European country, having gelato during summertime is an absolute must. Not only will it cool you off during the hottest time of the year, but it will your days with so much sweetness, you can't get enough of it! Fortunately, it's fairly easy to
make gelato on your own.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pannacotta
Gelato is undoubtedly among the 10 top Italian dishes for summertime, but its thickness may be a bit too much for some people. If you prefer a lighter treat, you can always go for some pannacotta instead. This
Italian dessert is just as cool, after all, which makes it a suitable seasonal treat. And don't forget that it comes in many flavors too. You can top it with some coffee, chocolate syrup, any flavored jam, and even some fruit slices too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Crème Caramel
Finally, there's also crème caramel. By its name alone, you can already tell that this sweet treat didn't exactly originate in Italy. It's more of a French dessert than Italian. There are even other countries that have their own version of it, namely Spain, Mexico, and the Philippines. Nevertheless, however, one spoonful of this soft, supple, and creamy pudding is enough to have you wanting more. And yes, it's also a cold dessert that's perfect for summertime!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
When summer arrives, you'll enjoy eating any or all of the top 10 Italian dishes of the season. You already know that the cuisine is delicious, but these dishes will truly satisfy you during this time of year!
