Mangia Mangia!

In the Italian language, mangia is a command that means eat. Mothers tell their son's mangia, wives tell their husbands mangia and servers in trattorie tell their guests mangia,mangia!

So, who am I to disobey? No, not this Italophile.

Some of the most delicious Roman dishes that I can't wait to scarf down are:

Pasta Carbonara. This is my all-time favorite pasta dish! Raw eggs are tossed with hot pasta (which cooks the eggs), parmesean cheese and lots of browned pancetta. Heaven on a plate!

Bucatini all'amatriciana. Thick, hollow pasta with tomatoes, guanciale (pork cheek) or pancetta (pork belly) and grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Yum.

Cacio e Pepe. The simplest of them all- spaghetti, lots of black pepper, tons of that sharp grated Pecorino Romano cheese and a little of the pasta water create a delicious, creamy sauce.

Pasta Arrabbiatta. This is labeled *angry pasta* because of the addition of red hot chili peppers. (and no, not the band). I'm normally not a huge fan of hot and spicy food, but when in Rome….

Gnocchi. In Rome, the old tradition in real trattorie is to have a special plate for every day of the week. Thursdays happens to be gnocchi night. You can bet we'll have some fluffy, delicious pasta pillows- with whatever sauce they are serving!

Fiori di zucca. Fried zucchini flowers, stuffed or plain. Crispy, salty, goodness.

Abbacchio Scottadito. Roasted Roman spring lamb chops that are grilled. The name implies burnt fingers- because you'll burn your fingers in haste trying to claw your way at them. Maybe, but rumor has these are finger licking good.

Porchetta. Sucking pig, stuffed with herbs and garlic and roasted on a spit. Then it's sliced and slapped on a sandwich. And it's sold out of a truck in Italy. That is what I call fast-food!

Pizza Bianca. Many a forna in Rome make this. It's sold by the pound and gets wrapped in paper as you take it with you. You might think it is white pizza- but it is really more like a foccacia dusted with salt, rosemary and olive oil. There can be toppings likes potato and rosemary or zucchini blossoms. This ain't pizza hut!

Roman pizza. Romans cook their pizza in a scorching hot oven, which means that the extra-thin Roman crust comes out extra crispy- even a bit scorched around the edges. My favorite is the simple Margherita- tomato, basil and mozzarella. Oh, I hope it's bufula mozzarella.

Supplì. A larger version on arancini. Basically a ball of risotto rice, surrounding a hunk of mozzarella and held together with egg, tomato and breadcrumbs and then fried.

Carciofi alla Romana. Artichokes braised in olive oil and water, sometimes with garlic and mint- the traditional Roman style.

Carciofi alla Giudia. The typical Jewish version of artichokes-flattened and fried.

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But, there are a few Roman delicacies that no amount of sweetly-spoken mangia's, could make me eat. They are:

Trippa. Tender tripe in creamy, spicy tomato sauce, served sprinkled with pecorino cheese. Basically, intestines. I'll pass.

Pajata. Chopped suclking calf intestines boiled with it's mother 's milk still inside and served with tomato sauce. Oh, yum. Teeny-tiny baby intestines. No thanks!

Coda alla Vaccinara. Ox tail in celery and tomato broth. I'm sure it is delicious, but I'll stick to all the other edible parts of an ox, of which I am so sure there are many.

Now, I am sure that eating my way through Rome will be my activity of choice. Let's just hope that all the walking and the extra shots of espresso, speed up my metabolism enough to avoid me gaining 20 pounds!

What's your favorite on the list? Would you try any of my off-limit dishes?

Avril
May 4th, 2009
I am a very picky eater, however, I have tried oxtail in Rome and it was delicious. Tastes just like roast beef. I would definitely recommend that you try it once.

My Melange
May 4th, 2009
Avril, Maybe my next trip I have soooo many delicious things to try this time!!

joanne at frutto della passione
May 4th, 2009
What? No gelato? Get thee to Giolitti and have a nutella/bacio/gianduia for me!

My Melange
May 4th, 2009
Well, of course gelato!! This one was sans dessert. I was going to SAVE that for it’s own post- along with tartufo and caffe di grantia I’ll visit any gelato place I pass! I like Giolitti- but hear San Crispino is the one not to miss. I’ll hae one for ya Joanne- it’s really not that hard to twist my arm
xo

Elaine - The Gourmet Girl
May 4th, 2009
Great list for those not familiar with regional Italian dishes to get a ‘taste’ of Roman creations.
Thanks for sharing.

My Melange
May 4th, 2009
You bet, Elaine! My pleasure.

Leesie
May 4th, 2009
Even worse, tripe is the lining of a (bovine’s) stomach and it is delicious – you really should at least try it!
I am super fond of gnocchi. When I celebrated my first communion my parents took my twin and I out to our favorite restaurant, Villa Cesare in my hometown in New Jersey. Of course I had the biggest bowl of lovely gnocchi. That meal – it is burned into my memory.
Mmmm, grilled spring lamb chops in Italy – the best! I had a lot of those at Trattoria da Pio in Montebello, Vicentino.
I’m thinking of going now as a last minute thing.

My Melange
May 4th, 2009
Leesie, I’ll leave the tripe for you, seeing as you like it so much…more for you!! It is amazing how food can leave such indelible memories. I am looking forward to the lamb chops- haven’t had them before

Anne
May 4th, 2009
I am with you on your list to eat…All the pasta dishes are great…I see Artichokes made it on the list, I must give them another go, maybe find someone who can cook them..
Like you also, I will leave all the Tripe for Leesie..how can anyone eat it!! Oxtail is really good, yes try next time. Saltimbocca is on my to try list, saw it being made on TV last night..yummy !

erin :: the olive notes
May 4th, 2009
seriously…you’re making me hungry!!!

My Melange
May 4th, 2009
Boh! I knew I forgot at least one. Yes, Saltimbocca I would eat, if I have time and can find it!! Thanks for reminding me. And yes, more tripe for Leesie eeeewwwww.

My Melange
May 4th, 2009
Erin, you know it’s gonna get worse, right?!?!?!! Just wait till I get there……

anne
May 4th, 2009
Oh yes Robin you are right, it is going to get worse for us….You will be in ROME and we will be at HOME…your photos will surely make us hungry!!! Enjoy and through your photos, we will take the trip with you..

My Melange
May 4th, 2009
You betcha Anne. I look forward to having you along for the ride

Michelle Harris
May 4th, 2009
I LOVE Rome. I keep trying to find a way back there. And I ate my weight in gnocchi – and that is a lot of gnocchi.
My favorite restaurant there was some place called Chicken House and it was on Via Cavour. Great pizza.

My Melange
May 4th, 2009
Chicken House should be right around the corner from our place. Staying near Via Cavour- I’ll look it up And about ROME- you’ll find your way back- just GO!

Deb
May 5th, 2009
You’re killing me… they’re all so good! I made pasta carbonara for the first time last week. It was too easy for such a decadent dish!

My Melange
May 5th, 2009
Oh, that is the best thing about Italian food. Simple, but delicious!!

Marcus, Rome Italy
May 6th, 2009
Hmmm Porchetta! So fatty and delicious, so bad but so tasty.
Aaargh, how can I resist.
My wife is forever pulling me away from those portable Porchetta stands knowing that I always complain afterwards that it takes me 2 days to digest the stuff.
I feel like Homer Simpson , Doh!
Cheers from Rome,
Marcus

My Melange
May 6th, 2009
Hi Marcus! Just have some grappa after your porchetta- and you’ll have NO worries

fashion survivor
May 27th, 2009
You’re missing out by passing on the pajata and the oxtail!

My Melange
May 27th, 2009
It’s OK, I had more than enough food to keep me occupied That just means more for you!!
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