Ferrara
What to eat
Ferrara has an extraordinary amount of typical dishes that represents how the culinary art has always had great importance in the cultural tradition of this wonderful city. An importance mainly due to the presence of the Este court that has deeply marked its habits, approaching the cuisine will find the unique flavors.
The torta tenerina is a typical Ferrara cake, widespread and loved throughout the Emilia region. It is a speciality that tells a love story, that between the King of Italy Vittorio Emanuele III and Elena Petrovich of Montenegro, his bride. It is said that the two met in Venice and it was love at first sight. The queen was immediately nicknamed ‘the tender-hearted bride’ by the people of Ferrara, and in her honour the torta tenerina was called Torta Montenegrina. Characterised by a few simple ingredients, the cake has a crunchy crust that holds a soft, melting chocolate heart.
COPPIA FERRARESE
Coppia Ferrarese is the typical crunchy bread of the city of Ferrara with a unique shape resembling an ‘X’. This particular food is made by joining two strips of dough into a central ribbon, the ends, twisted on themselves, are called crostini. The presence of the Ferrara crostini dates back to the 16th century when ‘twisted bread’ was served at a dinner in his honour to the Duke of Este. years later, the steward of Prince Alfonso II mentioned ‘twisted bread’ in an expense estimate, showing that the product was already very popular. A unique bread that became the symbol of a city thanks to its special shape and simple raw materials.
Cappellacci alla zucca is the typical dish par excellence of Ferrara’s culinary tradition. Their origin can in fact be found in the area of Ferrara and its surroundings. They have a rounded and curved shape, in imitation of the typical peasant straw hat ‘caplaz’. The ingredients of the current recipe reflect the preparation in use at the time of the Este family, for the filling you need pumpkin pulp, preferably the true ‘violina’, typical of the Ferrara countryside. A significant dish that narrates and reflects the true tradition of the territory.