Trekking on the ApennineS
...and not only
Cuisine
Few cities in the world boast a heritage of gourmet tradition like Bologna and his surrounding. However, one of the three epithets of the city if "La Grassa" (the fat one), well-deserved considering the local passion for good food.
Parmesan Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, probabily is the most famous italian cheese in the world and it is also one of the most antique cheeses known; its documented origins date back to 1200. It is still produced today substantially as it was eight centuries ago: the same ingredients, same production techniques and the same artisan care. It is a totally natural cheese, the only one able to support a long aging process. Parmigiano-Reggiano is "mature" when it has reached an aging of between 12 and 18 months; "old" at the age of 18 and 24 months; "very aged" when it has passed at least two summers (from 24 to 36 months).
Homemade Pasta
So it is not surprising that many of the most famous Italian dishes in the world come from this area.
Pasta dishes include famous names like tortellini. There are many varieties, but the ones in Bologna are stuffed with meat, prosciutto, mortadella, parmesan and are served in broth. Then there are tortelloni stuffed with ricotta. This is also the land of egg pasta, including the stars tagliatelle and lasagna. Taglatelle, according to tradition are served with meat sauce, and the pasta for real lasagna is green, since it is made with spinach.
The Meat
Meat is not missing, and pork is the undisputed king.
A traditional dish is cotoletta alla bolognese, a cutlet covered with prosciutto and cheese, bollito misto (assorted boiled meats) and various roasts are also popular, for example stracotto di manzo (beef stew).
Wine
The most famous product of these lands is Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine grown between Bologna and Reggio Emilia. The hilly area behind Bologna has a much different vocation, this is the Colli Bolognesi DOC area. Excellent wines are produced here including the whites Albana, Pignoletto, Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco and Riesling or reds Barbera, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.