What to Eat in Rome

Artichokes, or carciofi in Italian, grow abundantly in the country, and Romans have perfected the art of preparing them. Try braised Carciofi alla Romana (https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/10/how-to-make-carciofi-alla-romana-roman-braised-artichokes.html) or fried Carciofi alla Giudia (https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2015/03/roman-jewish-fried-artichokes-carciofi-alla-giudia-recipe.html).

In ancient Rome, flamingos were considered a delicacy. Can you guess which part of the flamingo was most in demand? It was the tongue! Read about it here: https://passtheflamingo.com/2017/03/15/ancient-recipe-braised-flamingo-roman-5th-century-ce/. Don't try it in the USA; the birds are protected by law.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with wine cookies, or Ciambelline al Vino. The recipe is actually quite simple --flour, sugar, olive oil, baking powder, and red or white wine. Try them at home: https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Ciambelline-al-Vino-2218658

Romans shred the inner hearts of cicoria catalogna, a kind of chicory, to make a bittersweet salad. This type of chickory is hard to find outside of Italy, so it's really a treat that should be experienced in the lovely city of Rome. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/insalata-di-puntarelle

Veal With Prosciutto and Sage in a Marsala Butter Sauce is called 'saltimbocca' in Italian. The word literally means 'jumps in mouth,' because this dish is so full of rich flavor. If you prefer not to eat veal, you can substitute chicken.

If you are only making one trip to Italy, you have to experience the classics. Pizza crust and the noodles are often made from scratch in Rome, and the dishes usually feature fresh herbs and spices so you will find that taste quite different than the American varieties.