Renowned for its food, Italy produces countless unique foods and wines in 20 regions — from cheese, bread, and cured meats to olive oil and balsamic vinegar, to name just a few,but also known for something very special — delectable Italian truffles.
Truffles are edible fungi or tubers that grow underground, similar to mushrooms in that they are a form of fungi, but not exactly the same — mushrooms actually grow above the ground.
Considered a delicacy all around the world, luckily, truffles in Italy are plentiful and world famous for their exquisite flavor.
It’s worth pointing out that Italy is not the only place in the world where truffles are grown. France is another premier truffle region and home to the Black Diamond truffles of Perigord, the most famous black truffle in the world. Other countries where you can find truffles being grown include Australia, China, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Iran, United Kingdom, Canada, and the USA.
You might think truffles are the same not matter where they’re grown, but there are actually dozens of different types of truffles.
Black truffles and white truffles are the two truffles found in Italy, but only a few varieties are actually used in the culinary world.
Black Italian truffles have a bumpy, dark skin and a semi-strong earthy flavor.
The Italian white truffle, on the other hand, has a yellowish skin and a more intense flavor. White truffles are also much rarer and harder to find than black truffles.
You may have seen pictures of truffles but have you seen the prices they’re asking for them? There are a few reasons that Italian truffles are so expensive.
First of all, they’re hard to find, and can only be found with the help of a truffle dog. Once upon a time, pigs were used to sniff out these underground delicacies.
The second reason that truffles are so expensive is because it’s surprisingly difficult to cultivate truffles. In the wild, they need certain weather conditions and temperatures, and are found next to oak, pine, or hazelnut trees.
Truffles are especially finicky to cultivate on your own. For example, no one has ever successfully grown the Alba white truffle outside of the ground.
Unfortunately, certain types of truffles cannot be stored. This means that you can only enjoy them when they are in season, usually for only two or three months of the year.
Considering all of these factors, you can see why truffles are one of the priciest food items in the world. Case in point: the white winter truffles (also known as Alba white truffles) can cost up to $10,000 per pound!
Popular Truffle Dishes
So you’ve gone hunting and found a few morsels. Or maybe you’d prefer to head straight to a restaurant and dive in.
If you’re wondering “what do truffles taste like”, the short answer is “like nothing you’ve ever tasted before” — it’s actually a hard taste to describe. The somewhat strong earthy taste of truffles can be an acquired taste, but not always. To me, they taste like a cross between a mushroom and a garlic clove! The aroma is pervasive no matter how they are prepared.
A little truffle makes any pasta dish sing, but it also goes a long way! If there’s too much, the flavor can easily overpower the other flavors in a dish.
For those of us who enjoy truffles, it’s truly a long lasting love affair!
Dining at a restaurant that serves truffle dishes is a great experience. You’ll smell the aroma right away and have no doubt what’s on the menu. Below, we list some of the restaurants in our area that serve dishes based on or with the addition of truffles:
-L'Universo -in Vignale Monferrato, Bergamaschino Street, n°19.
phone: +39 0142 933052
-Osteria Amarotto - in Casale Monferrato, 53 Camillo Benso Cavour Street
phone: +39 0142 781281
-Accademia- in Casale Monferrato, 29,Goffredo Mameli Street
phone: +39 0142 452269
Be aware that during truffle season, many restaurants add shaved truffles and charge by the kilo.
And now, some recipes!
Carpaccio with White Truffle
One of the most unique dishes made with Italian truffles is carpaccio with white truffles. This dish of uncooked beef steak, rocket (arugula) salad, pine nuts, shaved parmesan cheese, and white truffle flakes is a traditional Tuscan recipe.
for 4 people:
500 g beef carpaccio
1 black truffle
50 g pine nuts
100 g flaked parmesan
salt -to taste
extra virgin olive oil
Arrange the carpaccio slices on a plate. Pass the truffle under a stream of running water and scrub it extremely delicately with a soft bristle toothbrush. Dry the truffle very well with absorbent paper and cut it with the appropriate truffle slicer. Add the oil, salt and truffle slices to the carpaccio. Arrange the parmesan flakes in the center of the plate and garnish with a sprinkling of pine nuts.
It’s one of the best ways to taste the prized white truffle.
Fettuccine with Truffle
Italian truffles are often served in pasta dishes. Sometimes the truffles are made into a sauce, and other times they’re shaved on top. Regardless, truffle pasta is always delicious.
One of the most popular pastas that is paired with truffles is fettuccine or sometimes spaghetti.
And the recipe is quite simple
. Whip up a cream-based sauce with loads of Parmagiano-Reggiano cheese, toss it with some al dente fettuccine, and top it off with just a few shavings of black or white truffles. That’s it! Simple but so delicious.
As a side note, many Italian pastas can be made with truffles in a similar manner. This recipe (or a variation) can be used with tagliatelle, pici, bucatini, or even ravioli.
Black Truffle Risotto
Other than pasta, risotto is another Italian dish that can be spiced up with truffles.
for 4 people:
Carnaroli rice -320 g (I do prefer Arborio)
White truffle 10 g
Meat broth 750 g
Parmigiano Reggiano DOP to grate 50 g
Butter 50 g
Extra virgin olive oil - to taste
Black pepper - to taste
Salt - to taste
To make truffle risotto, first prepare our meat broth recipe. Then, pour the olive oil into a pan, heat it, then add the rice, which you will toast over medium heat for a couple of minutes.
Pour over the rice, the hot meat broth, one ladle at a time as the liquid dries , add salt and cook the risotto: it will take about 18-20 minutes. When the risotto is ready, turn off the heat, stir in the risotto with the butter with the heat off .
Add the grated Parmigiano Reggiano , flavor with pepper , mix and leave to rest in the pan. Meanwhile, take the truffle and use the appropriate truffle cutter to make small slices .
Gnocchi with Truffle
Gnocchi with truffle is another fantastic Italian truffle dish. The gnocchi is made with flour and potatoes, and is combined with a creamy truffle sauce.
for 4 people:
-gnocchi: 500grams
-black truffle: 45grams, cut into fine strips
-butter
-salt
Prepare the truffle flavored butter: finely chop half the truffle, melt the butter in a pan, add the truffle and leave it to flavor for a few minutes.
Boil the gnocchi in plenty of salted water, drain them when they float to the surface and sauté them in the butter and truffle sauce. Add the truffle slices kept whole, mix delicately and serve immediately.
Scrambled Eggs with Truffle
So far on this list of Italian truffle dishes, I’ve included dishes that are great for lunch and dinner. But Italians occasionally eat truffles for breakfast as well. And the recipe is simple.
Just make scrambled eggs as you regularly would and scatter some truffle shavings on top! You can use either white truffles or black truffles for this dish.
Truffle Fairs:
International White Truffle Fair of Alba (56-60 km from the house location)
The International White Truffle Fair of Alba may be the most well-known truffle festival in Italy. Every October and November, this event showcases the best of all things truffle-related.
The best part of the International White Truffle Fair of Alba is the White Truffle Market. This section is where you can learn everything about white Italian truffles. You’ll even be able to sample or purchase these treasured treats, if you’d like.
In addition to the White Truffle Market, the International White Truffle Fair also boasts sections with truffle wine pairings, chef demonstrations, and even a truffle booth specifically for children.
For more info, visit https://www.fieradeltartufo.org/
Truffle Fair of Moncalvo (10 km from the house)
The 70th edition will be held on 20 and 27 October 2024 - See more at: https://www.fieradeltartufodimoncalvo.it/it/programma.html#sthash.t065cAOv.dpuf
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