Page 171 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  169

The catch served at lakeside
restaurants is often simply fried,
grilled or poached, although it
is also popular marinated and
is used in risottos, soups, pâtés
and as a ravioli filling.
The land around Lake Garda
is particularly suited for growing
vines and olive trees. Light and
delicate, Garda extra-virgin olive
oil is perfect in salad dressings
and can be bought direct
from oil mills. Other regional
products include capers and
a delicious honey sold by
Fresh vegetables for sale at a Milanese greengrocer local beekeepers.
meal – vegetables, freshwater The Lakes WHAT TO DRINK
fish, meat and game. Milanese Although fishing on the
risottos still tend to have a region’s deep glacial lakes is no Franciacorta wines The
seasonal twist. In the autumn, longer a major industry, it still reds and whites from the Lago
locally grown pumpkin is plays a central role in shaping d’Iseo area are held in high
often added and, in summer, the local diet. Pike, perch, trout, esteem by the Milanese,
especially the spumante.
wild strawberries. tench, bleak, shad, sardines
During the 18th century, and eel are plentiful, while Oltrepo Pavese wines More
maize (corn) was introduced carp is more elusive and prized. than 20 different varieties, both
into the region and polenta – still and sparkling, are produced
made from maize flour in ancient vineyards to the south-
and water – soon became west of Milan.
an important staple food. Valtellina wines From the
Today, even though pasta Swiss border, north of Lake
is hugely popular, it is just Como, these include reds and
as likely that polenta and the unusual raisin-like sforzato
made from semi-dried grapes.
rice will be found on the
table in Milan. Garda wines Made from a
Rule by Austria in the late wide variety of grapes, the reds,
18th century has also left its whites and rosés from the area
mark on the Milanese diet. The around Lake Garda include a
popular bread-crumbed veal light red Bardolino, Garda Classico
Groppello and Garda Classico
costoletta Milanese is a version Chiaretto. The white Lugana
of Wiener Schnitzel, and goes particularly well with
panettone is based on the rich Shad, part of a catch of fish from the clear lake-fish dishes.
yeast cakes of Central Europe. waters of Lake Como

Minestrone The Milanese add Ossobuco Veal shanks are Trota Ripiena Lake trout are
beef marrow and rice to their braised very slowly in white stuffed with mushrooms, onion
version of this hearty bean and wine. The bone marrow is and parsley, then poached in
vegetable soup. considered a delicacy. red wine.

168-169_EW_Milan.indd 169 20/10/16 3:20 pm