Discover the History and Fun Facts About Panna Cotta!
With Christmas Eve approaching, it’s the perfect time to choose and try the best dishes to crown your holiday meals. Among the many sweet options to enjoy with your family, today we bring you one of the most iconic desserts in Italian cuisine: panna cotta. Originating from the Piemonte region, this dessert is prepared similarly to flan but with a gelatinous texture, making it a staple in any Italian restaurant worth its salt.
Want to know more? Here are the 4 most fascinating facts about panna cotta and its origins.
What Does "Panna Cotta" Mean?
The word panna cotta comes from Italian and literally means “cooked cream”. This name explicitly refers to its preparation method and its main ingredients: cream, sugar, and sometimes eggs. The recipe can include other ingredients such as rum, coffee, mint, or tea, and is often served with sweet sauces like syrup.
It’s a dessert that combines the smooth texture of flan with the firmness of gelatin.
The Official Origin of the Recipe
According to some Italian sources, the original panna cotta recipe was created in the 1970s by the Italian chef Ettore Songia, who worked at the restaurant “I Tre Citroni.” Due to the success of his dish, he decided to patent it to claim its creation.
However, research suggests that the origins of this dessert are much older, dating back to the 13th century. Evidence can be found in the book “The Libellus De Arte Coquinaria”, written by the Danish doctor Henrik Harpestræng. This text describes a similar dessert called “Moos Hwit,” which shares many similarities with panna cotta.
The Secret Behind This Dessert
Although modern panna cotta is made using gelatin, during the Middle Ages its composition was different, as this ingredient didn’t exist yet. Cooks of the time used a “special ingredient” to extract collagen and form the dessert’s base. Can you guess what it was?
- Option #1: Chicken broth
- Option #2: Fish bones
- Option #3: Crushed nuts
Answer: Fish bones!
They also added vanilla, sugar, cream, and red fruit jams like blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, or cherries to give it flavor and color.
A Theory Italians Might Not Like
Although many argue that panna cotta is a dessert of Piemontese origin, there’s a legend that links it to a Hungarian woman from the Langhe region in Italy. According to this story, the woman tried to make a pudding but accidentally mixed it with forest berries. The result was a success, and her recipe quickly spread.
At Rossini, we are proud to feature this delicious dessert on our menu. Book your table now and enjoy the authentic Italian experience.