Emilia Romagna

Pork - a famous specialty of Bologna and Emilia-Romagna
Cured products
Pork is the base ingredient of the city of Bologna's famous sausages (hence the English word "baloney") and other cured products including:

• Prosciutto
  Parma's classic mountain-air cured ham.
• Mortadella
  Seasoned pork mixed with pork fat chunks.
• Zampone
  A boned pig's foot stuffed with spiced pork.

Ragu
Pork is the chief meat ingredient in the famed ragu. It is a thick, rich, and complex tomato sauce ideally suited for pasta. The sauce is often called "Bolognese sauce", named after the region's leading city.

Pork fat
It rather than butter or olive oil is the principal cooking oil of the region (though the city of Bologna, like Rome, proves itself egalitarian by using all three).

Other famous food specialties of Bologna and Emilia-Romagna
Pasta
Emilia-Romagna's pasta creations are well known: Tortellini (small, stuffed ring shaped pasta), Tagliatelle (ribbon shaped pasta, the favorite base for a ragu), and the spinach-dyed pasta verde. Two noted pasta verde dishes are Lasagna Verde and Paglia e Fieno, literally Straw and Hay, referring to the look when green and yellowish noodles are combined.

Dairy products
The fat dairy cattle give rich milk and cream, frequently used in local dishes and in producing Parmigiano Reggiano, that universally cherished grating cheese English speakers call Parmesan.

More famous specialties of Bologna and Emilia-Romagna
Seafood
Along the region's Adriatic coast, fish becomes the mainstay. T he brodetti (stews) are especially good.

Wine
The region's internationally famous wine is Lambrusco, a slightly sweet, slightly effervescent red wine. It's nothing very special, but is a fair foil for the region's rich, well-seasoned food.

Emilia-Romagna tips and insights
La Grassa
With good reason, the region has been nicknamed "La Grassa". Literally translated. it means "the fat". It refers to the rich diet that the local citizenry has been enjoying for centuries.

Best city for gourmets
Bologna is the top all-around food city in Emilia-Romagna.
Criteria: Includes cooking, dining, food markets, cooking ingredients, cooking schools, beverages.