Desserts in the Veneto region

by Charlotte
(Leeds)

The Veneto region is famous for its wide range of desserts, which contribute to the rich and diverse culinary tapestry of the area. Even the local Hotels and restaurants typically provide a strong selection from which to choose, along with an extensive list of accompanying wines. Sampling these is a must if you are touring in the region.

The most famous Venetian dessert is tiramisu, which has become an institution across Europe. This consists of alternating layers of coffee soaked ladyfinger biscuits and a mixture of mascarpone cheese, sugar and eggs. A light dusting of cocoa usually supplements the dish as its bitterness provides a nice contrast to the sweet cheese layer. There are many different recipes for the dish, some specific to local villages, so it is advised to sample a range of tiramisus to get the full flavour of the region.

Many other dishes are more regional affairs and accordingly have local variations. One such example is Crostoli (also known as Galani), which are a special type of pastry. The thin dough – which is made out of flour, eggs and orange peel – is fried and sprinkled with icing sugar. They are typically served hot and eaten in the run-up to Lent but they are available all year round too.

Fritole (also known as Frittelle) is another fried pastry dish which is popular at Carnival time. They contain yeast, forcing the dough to rise to create a doughnut. They can contain fillings such as Zabaione (a special Italian light custard), cream, tiramisu or Nutella or can be empty. The classic Fritelle Veneziane are unfilled but have raisins and pine nuts stirred into the dough, giving them their flavour. The addition of rum and lemon zest to the pastry is also common.

There are also many more desserts available in the Veneto region, making the area a haven for those with a sweet tooth. Checking out local markets, bakeries and restaurants comes highly advised if you want to discover the gastronomic delights of this area, to which you can always find cheap flights.