• Food & Wine
    • Mountains

Local specialties in valtellina

A small area of ​​Lombardy with a rich gastronomic tradition

Valtellina is a region rich with high-quality products that are famous all over the world. Their most important products include cheeses (such as Bitto cheese), wine, pizzoccheri pasta, bresaola (dried beef) and bitters.

 

Tradition has it that in the mountain pastures in the summer, the milk is transformed into precious Bitto cheese, while the return of the herds in the valley is linked to the production of the Valtellina Casera once only available in winter, which can now be found throughout the year. Expert shepherds and cheese makers, the Celts, to conserve and transfer the nutritional properties of milk over time, began to produce long-keeping cheeses, and it is likely that the etymology of the name Bitto, deriving from "Bitu", may indicate something that is persistent. Since 1996, these cheeses have been awarded the Protected Designation of Origin: their production technology is defined by the respective disciplines to ensure their unique quality. After they have aged for 70 days, the wheels of cheese are inspected one by one, by the technicians of the Consortium that apply the fire brand of quality.

The first historical evidence attesting to the production of Bresaola dates back to the 15th century. The origin of the name Bresaola can traced to the Germanic word "brasa", meaning embers, since braziers were used in ancient times to heat and dehumidify the air in the aging rooms. The braziers unleashed an aromatic smoke that was obtained by throwing juniper berries and bay leaves on burning coals of fir wood.

Another important delicacy is Pizzoccheri della Valtellina. The earliest origins of this buckwheat pasta can be traced back to 1750 when it was cited in a will. Buckwheat, the main ingredient constituting the heart of the recipe, originally came from Siberia (the cultivation of this crop in Italy is dated around the 15th century, in Teglio). The first crop of furmentun dates back to the 1600s. In terms of red wines, Valtellina is a major producer. The Denomination of Origin (D.O.) of Valtellina boasts 2 DOCG (Sforzato di Valtellina and Valtellina Superiore) 1 DOC (Rosso di Valtellina) and 1 IGT (Terrazze Retiche di Sondrio), with vineyards covering about 800 hectares.

Some of Valtellina's bitters most worthy of mention include braùlio and fruit grappa. Bràulio is a liqueur aperitif, digestive and tonic, with a pleasantly bitter taste and moderate alcohol content (21 %). Its main ingredients are herbs and medicinal plants, fruits, roots and wild berries, collected in the mountains surrounding Bormio, the pristine environment of the Stelvio National Park. Grappa, on the other hand, is made with characteristic flavours including blueberries, wild strawberries and raspberries.

Take me here: Local specialties in valtellina

On the same topic

Tripe a la Milanese Recipe

It is a second course based on meat and is ideal for lovers of ancient flavors
  • Food & Wine
Tripe a la Milanese recipe, how to prepare it

Sbrisolona Cake Recipe

It is a Mantuan cake tied to the peasant tradition based on almonds
  • Food & Wine
Sbrisolona Cake Recipe, a unique dessert

Flavors and Products from Garda

Lake Garda is an ideal place for gourmets and wine lovers
  • Food & Wine
Discover the flavors and products from Garda

Franciacorta Wine

An ancient art that unites, in perfect union, with the most modern technologies and the mastery of the winemakers of the territory
  • Food & Wine
Franciacorta wine, an international success

Carnival sweets in Lombardy

Carts, masks, confetti and fun, Carnival is coming to Lombardy!
  • Food & Wine
@inlombardia - Carnival Sweets in Lombardy

Delicious Bergamo!

  • Food & Wine
Tagliere di salumi bergamaschi

A journey through the unique flavors of Lombardy

  • Food & Wine
A journey through the unique flavors of Lombardy

Campagna Amica, the Sunday markets

In Stradivari Square in Cremona
  • Food & Wine
Campagna Amica, the Sunday markets

East Lombardy

East Lombardy, the European Region of Gastronomy 2017
  • Food & Wine
East Lombardy

For Wine Cellars in Lombardy

Rows of vineyards line the countryside, producing some of the finest wines in the world. Exploring Wine Cellars in Lombardy
  • Food & Wine
Vineyards in Sondrio in Valtellina

Lake Garda, olives and lemon houses

Calm waters and mountains landscapes, olives and lemon houses, an exceptional extra virgin olive oil
  • Food & Wine
Sirmione, Garda lake

The Truffle of Oltrepò Pavese

  • Food & Wine
The Truffle of Oltrepò Pavese

Crotti in Valchiavenna

Discovering the natural cellars formed under the boulders of ancient landslides from which the "sorel" blows
  • Food & Wine
Valchiavenna@inLombardia_Adobestock

Cotechino pavese

A traditional peasant's delight
  • Food & Wine
Cotechino pavese

Winery weekend in 7 stages

7 must-see destinations in Lombardy to discover with a glass of wine in hand
  • Food & Wine
Winery weekend in 7 stages

What can I eat in Cremona?

The main courses of Cremona’s tradition
  • Food & Wine
What can I eat in Cremona?

Traditional cheeses of lombardy

It is from Lombardy that some of the most famous Italian cheeses come from all over the world
  • Food & Wine
Traditional cheeses of Lombardy

Red, rounded, robust. The wines of the Valtellina

Unique and unforgettable flavors obtained from the grapes of the terraces
  • Food & Wine
Sassella, Sforzato, Grumello, Valtellina Superiore, Inferno

Lecco culture and flavour

Visiting Lecco? Well, you don’t need to worry about getting lost.
  • Food & Wine
Lecco cultura e sapori

Today's Recipe

Every day a new recipe to try from the Lombard tradition
  • Food & Wine
Today's recipe, what to eat