Italian food

The strong Italian colonization in Santa Catarina was important for the gastronomy to spread widely throughout the region. In Florianópolis, there are Italian restaurants with more than 25 years of operation, managed by families of Italian descent who decided to keep the old traditions and family recipes. In Italy, each region has specific gastronomic characteristics, but pasta and pizza were the most popular dishes in the world. There are other dishes that are also part of the gastronomy of the Mediterranean country, such as polenta, gnocchi, tortelli, which is a type of ravioli, carpaccio (a dish with an array of very thin slices of raw meat), bruschetta (slices of bread, toast made with olive oil, to which garlic is added), and caprese salad (made with tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil), as well as a variety of seafood-based dishes. In Florianópolis, most of these specialties can be tasted. Curiosity: An Italian meal is a kind of ritual that begins with the starter, the antipasto. Next, the main dish, called first course, in which pasta, risotto or soup is always served, without accompaniment. Then the second course, or piatto di mezzo, where they serve meat, poultry, fish or seafood and must be accompanied by vegetables. The first dessert usually comes with cheese and fruit, the second, dolce, can be a pudding, fruit in syrup or ice cream. Finally, an espresso coffee and a digestif, such as liqueurs and wines, end the meal. Harmonization: Wines are the great specialty of Italy. There, they are considered food and not alcoholic beverages (including in relation to taxes). When tasting Italian cuisine, also abuse wines, which harmonize and complete the flavor of food. Each region of Italy has its own wines. But they all contribute to the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wine list, which are at the top of the quality pyramid of Italian wines. With these, you can't go wrong! Some that make the coveted list: Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo, Nobile de Montepulciano and Barbaresco.