"Venice"

   

The city is built on a lagoon, filled with canals, with no roads for cars. A very poetic and romantic place filled with history and art, known for its San Marco square, its Carnaval, its gondolas and its many bridges and magnificent palaces.

Contrary to popular belief the best time to visit Venice is not necessarily during the Winter Holidays as the city can be covered by fog during the cold months which takes away much of its magic. Best time to visit is during the Carnaval or during Spring.

Food in Venice
1. Sarde in saor

This delectable agrodolce or sweet-sour dish is definitely our favorite. Consisting of fried sardine fillets marinated in vinegar, onions, raisins and pine nuts, saor was originally conceived in the Middle Ages as a method of preservation by Venetian sailors and fishermen. With modern refrigeration, preserving fish (and other foods) in this way is no longer necessary. However, the simultaneously sweet and tangy flavors characterizing this preservation method were clearly very appealing to the Venetians’ taste buds and, as a result, the dish lives on as a modern-day antipasto or appetizer.

2. Baccala mantecato

Coming in at a close second is another sublime fish-based antipasto. Baccala mantecato or creamed dried cod is prepared by soaking, poaching and blending the fish into a smooth mousse seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper. You may also come across parsley and garlic in some variations. It is then served spread on slices of fresh bread or grilled white polenta, a typical staple of the Veneto region.

3. fritole

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during the Carnevale (Carnival) period, then you must try fritole, which are sweet pastry fritters traditionally prepared and eaten as part of the festivities before Lent. Made with a rich batter consisting of flour, eggs, butter, milk, sugar, pine nuts and raisins, they are molded in balls, deep fried in oil and dusted with sugar. Highly recommended for those with a sweet tooth!