What Food Is Famous in Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre is a small region located on Italy’s northwestern coast, and it is known for its stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, dramatic cliffs, and winding hills. But it’s also home to some of Italy’s most celebrated dishes. The region has a long history of fishing and farming, so seafood dishes are especially popular.

Seafood

Cinque Terre is renowned for its seafood, particularly anchovies and sardines. These small fish have been caught off the coast for centuries, so they feature prominently in local dishes such as pan-fried anchovies with garlic and parsley; grilled sardines with tomatoes and basil; and fried anchovies with lemons and capers. Other local seafood includes calamari, octopus, mussels, shrimp, crab, cuttlefish, clams, and scallops.

Pasta

Pasta is a staple in Cinque Terre cuisine. One of the most famous pasta dishes is pesto alla genovese – a hearty pesto sauce made with basil, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts or walnuts.

It’s often served over trenette – a type of long pasta similar to linguine – but it can also be served over gnocchi or other types of pasta. Other popular pasta dishes include trofie al pesto (trofie pasta with pesto sauce) or “cacio e pepe” (cheese and pepper).

Fish Soup

Cacciucco alla livornese is an iconic dish from Cinque Terre that originated in the nearby port city of Livorno. It’s a hearty fish soup made with at least five different kinds of fish – usually including anchovies, clams, mussels, squid or octopus – along with tomatoes and herbs like rosemary or oregano. It’s often served accompanied by slices of toasted bread for dipping into the soup.

Vegetables

The region has long been known for its fresh vegetables as well as its seafood. The most popular include artichokes (particularly from Moneglia), zucchini flowers (from Monterosso), potatoes (from Vernazza) and onions (from Manarola). These vegetables are used in a variety of dishes including fritto misto di verdure (fried mixed vegetables) or zucchini flowers stuffed with cheese and herbs then fried in batter.

Conclusion:

Food in Cinque Terre is all about celebrating local ingredients like seafood caught right off the coast along with fresh vegetables grown in the area’s rich soil. Visitors can expect to find delicious seafood dishes like fried anchovies or sardines as well as classic Italian pastas like pesto alla genovese or “cacio e pepe” alongside hearty fish soups like cacciucco alla livornese.