Much of Trentino-Alto Adige’s cuisine is influenced by both traditional Italian, Austrian, and German influenced cuisine, and Trento is no exception. The food in Trento is simple, filling, and delicious. Visitors to the city will find that the dishes reflect the very essence of Alpine cuisine – hearty dishes crafted from peasant-style recipes showcasing local ingredients.

APPETIZER

For the starter course in Trento, travelers can expect to enjoy unique local dishes such as eggplant stuffed with fish. In addition, expect traditional Italian cured meats like speck (cured and smoked pork) and mortadella and local cheeses such as trentingrana and spressa delle giudicarie. Smoked würstels are also common.

Carne salada is a must-try during the appetizer course. To make the dish, top-quality lean beef is flavored with salt and spices and left to rest for several weeks. The final product, which may be cooked or served raw, is always presented in thin slices.

FIRST COURSE

As opposed to other parts of Italy, pasta is not usually the star of the first course in the province of Trentino. That honor is reserved to the area’s soups, which are hearty and filling, especially during the winter months. Favorite soups in Trento include minestra d’orzo (barley soup) and minestra di trippe (tripe soup).

In addition to soup, locals enjoy canederli, which are large dumplings made from stale bread, speck, and cheese. The dumplings are cooked in beef broth and served with the broth or with butter and sage.

Another traditional dish is known as spätzle. These small dumplings are made from a simple dough of flour, water, and eggs. They are shaped using a special metal instrument then dumped directly into boiling water. In Trento, spätzle is traditionally served with speck and cream.

SECOND COURSE

The meat course in Trento consists primarily of proteins such as pork and lamb. Tripe, the edible lining of cattle and sheep stomach, is also common. Keeping in line with Alpine cuisine, meat is most often served in hearty stews or braised alongside locally grown vegetables. Meats such as speck and bratwurst are also served. Often dark German bread is served with this course, helping to accent the richness of the meal.

Game dishes are reflective of the city’s Alpine culture. Some game available in Trento includes veal, venison, boar, and bue (long-horned ox). These hearty meat dishes are often seasoned with rich flavors such as fig, chestnut, and mushroom. Veal is the star of local favorite osei scampadi, which is made with slices of veal that are rolled together with slices of speck or pancetta.

Seafood is also offered throughout the city, including traditional baccalà (salt cod), char fish, perch, trout, and more. Seafood dishes are seasoned with lighter flavors such as lemon and vegetables.

SIDE DISHES

Throughout Trentino-Alto Adige, polenta is certainly one of the primary stars on local dinner tables. Various areas serve it in different forms, the most common of which is with a creamy consistency, though it can also be served in the form of a spoon-shaped dumpling. The polenta is firmer served this way. Polenta is the perfect accompaniment to Trento’s second course protein dishes.

There’s nothing more perfect alongside Trento’s traditional cuisine than freshly baked bread made with local ingredients. Some of the most popular varieties include sdrami – a long, slim loaf of bread and brazzadellini – an anise-flavored bread made with wheat flour.

Other sides common in the area are fresh vegetables such as white asparagus and delicious cheeses such as mountain cheeses made from the milk of local cows.

Locals also enjoy tortel di patate, which is made by finely grating raw potatoes, mixing the potatoes with flour and salt, then frying the mixture in oil. Tortel di patate is usually served with speck, prosciutto, or cheese.

STREET FOOD

Whether hoping to enjoy a quick snack between sightseeing locales or looking for a casual meal, food stalls on the streets of Trento serve up a variety of local delicacies such as German-style pretzels and quick grab and go sandwiches topped with local produce and meats.

The most common bread eaten on the go is known as schüttelbrot, which is a flatbread seasoned with spices that has a distinctive crunchy texture.

DESSERTS

A delicious sweet treat to look out for is known as crostoli. Also called “angel wings”, crostoli are sweet crisps of pastry dough. They are made by twisting thin pastry dough into ribbon shapes, deep frying the ribbons, and dusting them with powdered sugar. Quintessential desserts throughout Europe, crostoli are the perfect way to end the day in Trento.

In the Alpine region of Trentino-Alto Adige, a must-try dessert is apple strudel. Known as strudel di mele, apple strudel is made of delicious pastry dough, seasonings, sugar, and fresh apples. While strudel recipes vary from area to area, they are all equally delectable. The local version uses golden delicious apples that are grown nearby.

Other regional desserts that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth are walnut and caramel pie, sweet stuffed dumplings, and Austrian versions of funnel cake and filled doughnuts.

WINE IN TRENTO

Trento is an incredible area of Italy for wine. During the city’s early days when occupied by the Romans, winemakers tried a variety of new winegrowing techniques from other nearby areas. One of the key techniques found during this time was the second fermentation, or metodo classico. This process is where the second fermentation of the wine is done in the bottle and is the method used to make sparkling wine.

As a result, Trento is known for its fantastic sparkling wines. The climate of Trento, which is cool to moderate thanks to the nearby Dolomite Mountains and high location above sea level, is ideal for producing sparkling wines. A temperate climate is needed to maintain the grapes’ acidity levels that are necessary for sparkling wine. Trento DOC wines are created in hillside vineyards of the town and have begun to receive rewards and notoriety for their quality.

Some of the top DOC wines to try while visiting Trento are Spumante, Rosé, Millesimato, and Spumante Bianco Riserva. Other wines to try include Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Teroldego.

In addition to wine, there are a variety of beer houses and pubs located throughout Trento where travelers can delight in delicious Austrian-influenced beer.

Travelers seeking a unique dining experience during their vacation to Italy should look no further than Trento in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. The city’s multicultural influences can be appreciated by tasting such dishes as canederli, osei scampadi, schüttelbrot, and apple strudel. Top it off with a glass of locally-made wine or beer to enjoy the perfect Tridentine meal.