Cooking With Pumpkins on an Italy Culinary Vacation

Pumpkin dishes abound in the U.S. during the Fall season. Since Italian cuisine is so focused on seasonal ingredients and dishes, it should come as no surprise that pumpkin dishes are also popular in Italy this time of year, which you can discover on an Italy culinary vacation.

In Italy, zucca — or pumpkin — is an important ingredient in everything from puddings and cakes, to soups, breads, pastas, and sauces, among so many more dishes that you can discover during your Italy culinary vacation.

In Italy, the pumpkins come in a variety of colors and textures. There’s the typical orange of course, but also vibrant colors of green, white, and even grey and red. All the different varieties add interesting flavors to the dish, but the most popular — and prized — of all is the zucca marina di Chioggia, which is produced in the Veneto region near the Adriatic Coast. The thick exterior of this particular pumpkin is very sweet and works wonderfully with dishes like gnocchi and risotto. In the fishing town of Chioggia, you may even find street vendors who are grilling up zucca and sprinkling it with a dash of salt, pepper, and olive oil before serving it to their customers.

Try a classic Italian pumpkin soup recipe or this salad recipe.

The fruit also has a place of honor at the annual Pumpkin Festival in Venzone, where chefs serve up a variety of regional dishes with pumpkin amidst music, juggling, and other entertainment.

While Americans may prize their plethora of pumpkin dishes, clearly Italians do too. Looking for a unique take on the classic pumpkin pie? Try this Italian recipe

Try more great Italian recipes, including: Necci (chestnut flour crepes), Ribollita, and Zuppa di fagioli.

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