Piemonte: History, Gastronomy, and Nature
Piemonte, or Piedmont, is one of the Italian regions boasting a rich gastronomic heritage influenced by the neighbouring countries of France and Switzerland. However you look at it, this rural Italian region offers numerous historical attractions closely tied to the country’s history and cultural legacy, still present today in its natural landscapes, Italian dishes, monuments, traditions, and well-kept secrets that few know. Start your journey now!
A Capital for Many Kingdoms
Throughout history, Piemonte has been a significant stage for events that marked antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the modern era. Initially, it was one of the Roman conquests in the northeastern zone, an agricultural region with a rich source of natural resources and lands for wine cultivation.
Later, after the fall of the Roman Empire, it became a strategic location where many foreign factions, such as the Franks, Lombards, and Byzantines, settled to control the area, especially the city of Turin. Years later, in 1599, following the rise to power of the House of Savoy, Turin became their capital city. This royal house had significant influence in medieval times and established its capital in the region until 1723, when the Kingdom of Sardinia declared it as its capital.
Eventually, Piemonte came under the control of the Kingdom of Italy, which proclaimed it as its first capital from 1861 to 1865. Finally, it became one of the regions where the Italian War of Independence was fought, later becoming a symbol of Italian industrial progress and the second-largest region in Italy.
The Birthplace of the Slow Food Movement
The Slow Food movement, initiated in 1986, promotes good nutrition and culinary traditions in defence of food standardisation and fast food. The movement’s roots were established in Piemonte by Carlo Petrini. Italy is one of the strongholds of the Slow Food philosophy, with over 35,000 members promoting food fairs that celebrate the gastronomy of each territory. Today, the movement is present in over 160 countries.
White Truffles
One of Piemonte’s culinary highlights is white truffles, a delicacy appreciated (and expensive) for their flavour and quality. This fungus can only be found in high-altitude regions of Italy and France. These truffles are often found in towns like Alba and Asti, two cities in the region where white truffles are cultivated, and an annual truffle fair is held during October and November.
Some pasta dishes typically prepared with white truffle include:
- Tagliatelle with truffles
- Ravioli with white truffle
- Risotto with truffles
- Fried egg with white truffle
The Gastronomic Cradle of Rice, Chocolate, and Coffee
Amazingly, Piemonte can boast being one of the places where major companies like Nutella and Lavazza began their activity on a small scale before becoming the giants they are today.
The popular chocolate and nut spread Nutella was invented in 1964 in Piemonte by Pietro Ferrero as a creative way to save on chocolate export taxes. At the time, it was known as “Supercrema.”
As for Lavazza, the company was founded in Turin in 1895 by entrepreneur Luigi Lavazza. What began as a humble grocery store gained popularity for its coffee quality, eventually becoming known as “Italy’s favourite coffee.”
A Region of Lakes
Piemonte is home to some of the best lakes and lagoons in Italy and the Alps. Lakes such as Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, and Lake Laus together create breathtaking landscapes worth admiring. In these regions surrounded by lakes, you can also find ruins of fortresses and archaeological remains from the late medieval period. One must-visit spot is the Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime, considered one of the most beautiful green spaces on the planet, with exceptional flora and fauna.
Inventors of Vermouth
Amazingly, vermouth also originated in Piemonte, and it was the birthplace of the Martini cocktail, with a tradition spanning over 150 years. In Turin, you can find “Casa Martini,” a space dedicated to exploring the history of vermouth.
From a gastronomic perspective, the region offers other delicacies perfect for antipasti or light bites. Some of Piemonte’s most typical starters include:
- Gnocchi al Castelmagno
- Vitello Tonnato
- Gianduiotti
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