Eating in Tuscany is a true gastronomic experience, a pleasure for the palate. However, each area of the region has its own peculiarities, delicacies and distinctive features. Typical Tuscan cuisine in Arezzo is rich in flavorful and tasty dishes that come straight from the peasant tradition. These are often recipes of poor, salvaged origin, made with what was in the pantry and the vegetable garden. And then there are the wines, the meat, the extra virgin olive oil, the handmade pasta….

There are many restaurants in and around Arezzo where you can taste the real Tuscan cuisine of this area, but not all of them offer the same authenticity.

In this article we are going to discover the typical dishes of Arezzo and give you some advice on restaurants in the area where you can taste these specialties.

Tuscan cuisine in and around Arezzo: specialties

The typical dishes of Arezzo are particularly tasty.

Here are a few recipes that we recommend you try if you are on vacation in this area. Obviously these are mainly earthy, rich and flavorful cuisine, often with meat-based recipes.

THE CHIANINA STEAK

In the Val di Chiana there is only one queen: the Chianina!

This breed is world famous for its tenderness when well matured and its rich, savory, unmistakable flavor. It is served in pieces of at least 1 kg and can be either cut in the rib eye or “alla fiorentina” with the tenderloin. It should be eaten strictly rare. Among the typical dishes of Arezzo besides this cut we have the tagliata that comes from a different cut; the sirloin or the rump. After it is grilled it is cut into thin slices and seasoned with olive oil, rosemary and pepper.

PORK LIVERS

Typical Tuscan cuisine in Arezzo, as we have said, is a poor cuisine. This dish is something really distinctive: fegatelli are pieces of pork liver that are wrapped in the pig’s net and then seasoned with bay leaf, wild fennel, salt, pepper and oil. They are then grilled or cooked in a pan.

They are a very old recipe, records are found dating as far back as the 14th century.

POTATO TORTELLI

Another typical Tuscan cuisine staple in Arezzo is potato tortelli. This is a specialty of Casentino, so you will find them mostly in the upper part of Arezzo. The potato used is strictly the rossa di Cetica, which is chosen for the filling along with rigatino, parsley, garlic, rosemary, Parmigiano, eggs, salt and pepper.

For seasoning, butter and sage or rich meat or mushroom sauces are usually used.

MACARONI WITH “OCIO” SAUCE

Maccheroni in Arezzo is a type of fresh pasta cut into large 7-10 cm squares, almost like lasagna. They are seasoned with sugo d’ocio, which is a tasty sauce made from the local goose, in Tuscany called “ocio”.

The goose is an animal that the sharecropper did not have to share with the landowner so it is an ingredient that comes from the peasant tradition.

PAPPARDELLE WITH WILD BOAR SAUCE

You cannot miss this typical dish of Arezzo during the wild boar hunting season, which can be in the version of Scottiglia di cinghiale (a spezzatino) or in ragout. In the latter case, one cannot fail to combine the classic pappardella using both 00 wheat flour and semolina flour for the dough to ensure both elasticity but also that roughness necessary for the sauce to take hold, which will be very appetizing in the mouth.

ACQUACOTTA

Acquacotta is a recipe found throughout Tuscany that originally consisted of a broth made with herbs and seasonal vegetables. At our restaurant we serve it with mushrooms, fresh chard, tomatoes and a new poached accompanied by toasted bread and sprinkled with seasoned pecorino cheese. It is a sort of spring version of ribollita.

PORCHETTA OF MONTE SAN SAVINO

Famous all over the world, porchetta di Monte San Savino can be found in restaurants in the area but also in delicatessens.

It is the whole pig in a crust, which is baked in the oven and flavored with a pesto of salt and herbs, among which wild fennel stands out. A real treat to eat accompanied by Tuscan bread. Soft, juicy and flavorful, it is a must-try specialty in a restaurant in or around Monte San Savino.

TYPICAL TUSCAN CUISINE IN AREZZO: RESTAURANTS WHERE TO TRY IT

There is certainly no shortage of restaurants in Arezzo, but not all of them offer the typical dishes we have described to you in this article.

La Torre di Gargonza has been making typical Tuscan cuisine in Arezzo for as long as we can remember, with special attention to the authenticity of the ingredients and the gastronomic tradition of our area.

Many of the products we use in the kitchen come directly from our garden, and the meat is from local farms that pay special attention to animal welfare. We prepare homemade pasta, bread and schiacciata just as they used to, even gluten-free for our guests with celiac disease. Every month a different menu awaits you to try, based on seasonal ingredients but always faithful to the typical dishes of Arezzo and Val di Chiana.

Among the restaurants in and around Arezzo, La Torre di Gargonza is located in a privileged position, on a hill from which there is a breathtaking view. We welcome both Castle guests and outside customers who want to try typical Tuscan cuisine in Arezzo.

If you want to reserve a table, contact us!

And after eating, don’t forget to take a tour of the city of Arezzo: it’s worth it even if you only have one day to spare.