Every meal in Torino is a challenge. Do we cook or do we go out?
Cooking
The main market in Torino (Europe’s largest) is overflowing with the produce of the season. It wasn’t until our 3rd visit to the market that we discovered the hyper-local Piedmontese section that is still larger than most farmer’s markets. There are no Sicilian lemons, but in late July you will find dozens of plum varieties, green beans, zucchini and their flowers, bouquets of herbs, and the beginnings of the tomato harvest. Our favorite other section is one of the indoor meat, cheese, and pasta areas – if only just because Adam found a pasta lady that he likes there. Raviolis we have purchased so far: porcini, smoked salmon in squid ink pasta, shrimp and zucchini, and fig and prosciutto. Coupled with a simple olive oil, cream, or pesto sauce these make a decadent lunch while we’re stuck inside making sure Alice gets a good nap. Other market meals have featured rabbit stewed in red wine, lamb sausage ragu, and stuffed bell peppers.
No trip to the market is complete without adding to our antipasto supplies. In any given time in Italy we must have the following on hand:
- Cured meats (bresaola, prosciutto crudo, coppa, etc.)
- Cheese (Grana padano, raschera, robiola, toma, etc.)
- Olives and other vinegary things
- Grissini (breadsticks) – an Alice favorite
- Something fishy (anchovies in green sauce, tuna giardinera)
Going out
If you stop for happy hour in Torino, you will have the option for a taglieri (‘chopping board’) that comes with a drink. It might cost a little extra or be included with the price of drinks. Cheese, cured meat, olives, and focaccia are the mainstays.
That is unless you are at a place with ‘Apericena’ instead of a ‘chopping board’. Translated it means: “We have an absurd amount of food either in a buffet or that we will bring to you”. The buffet usually has a few different types of pasta, a rice dish, bruschetta, a few different roasted vegetables, breadsticks, focaccia, and more. It’s usually about 3 to 4 euros above the cost of a drink. A separate dinner is not required. Most of these places also have casual outdoor seating and serve a generous Negroni. Sold.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the easy exception. Pop down to one of the gazillion cafes serving high-quality espresso and a croissant.
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