About Italian food customs
in Lombardy

In the south, due to the warmer climate conditions, two ingredients are abundantly used: tomatoes and olive oil as the principal fat used in cooking. In contrast, in the north Italy where the livestock has a long tradition, butter is the major fat and cheeses of all kinds are particularly popular.

If you are one of those who consider the food in Italy to be decadent, sometimes described as a predominance of garlic and oregano, involving always pasta of some type and served with a good bottle of wine than I must confirm that none of this is untrue but it does give a very inadequate vision of what is one of the worlds most varied gastronomic areas. This is the most valuable proof of this: Essentials of Italian food customs

Each region in Italy has its 'piatto tipico' (typical dish). Lombardy with Milan as a part of Northern Italy has several typical dishes you should try. This doesn’t mean that in Milan as a cosmopolitan city you won’t be able to taste a typical dishes from Tuscany, Puglia or Sicily. On the contrary you will have opportunity to visit any of other Italian regions restaurants in Milan.

But as this website deals only about Northern Italy and predominantly about Lombardy and Milan region, let’s see what are the commonly used dishes in this part of Italy and what are the Italian food dishes in Milan and what Milanesi are proud of.

This procedure isn’t naturally compulsory and nobody will be offended if you chose only ‘primo’ and ‘secondo’ or only one of them.

Traditional Milanese cuisine has its own distinguishing flavor and many travelers may be surprised by how the northern regions of Italy use their own cuisine brand quite different from the Italian food customs in the rest of Italy.

Olive oil is less frequently used in cooking than butter while pasta is replaced with rice or 'polenta'. This initial surprise will be soon replaced by a sense of satisfaction as the typical dishes of Milan and Lombardy, when prepared well, can make for some wonderful eating experiences.

Risotto Lovers Unite!! If You Love Risotto, Then This Book Is For You!

Antipasto alla Milanese
Primi piatti (first course)
Secondi (second course)
Dolce (dessert)
Cheese