Veneto
Home to the unparalleled architecture and stunning city design of the regional capital of Venice, Veneto is one of the most interesting regions in Italy. Located in the water-rich Po River Basin, Veneto nestles between the Adriatic Sea and Alpine mountains, and shares a very small portion of its northern border with Austria. Export industries are important in Veneto, with intricate laces and blown Murano glass as respected as the region’s well-known gold indsutry.
Seven provinces reside in Veneto – Vicenza, Verona, Venice, Rovigo, Treviso, Padua and Belluno. Though “fair Verona” is the landmark made famous by Shakespeare’s most beloved tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, it is the remarkable water-city of Venice that attracts millions of tourists every year. Built upon a lagoon over a series of 118 islands and roughly 150+ canals, Venice is traveled almost exclusively by watercraft or on foot. Though the city does have railway access and some public buses, it nonetheless remains largely automobile-free, not a small feat considering the size of its population (over a quarter million). Strangely in keeping with romantic notions of the fabulous water-city, the narrow waterways really are the primary mode of transportation in Venice.
Though Venice is ripe with tourism and the architectural, artistic and cultural delights that never cease to draw people to its doors, other parts of Veneto easily hold their own in the region’s economy and traditions. Verona displays a wealth of early Roman and medieval architecture, and is the birthplace of many of Italy’s most famous writers, composers and artists. Vicenza hosts the famous Gold Exposition three times a year, and is a European spa-lover’s delight with its numerous hot springs. The ancient city of Rovigo is full of religious buildings, including the octagonal La Rotunda church. Padua is also brimming with religious architecture, and is the setting for Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Treviso is home to production houses of the wildly successful clothing designers, Benetton. Belluno is tucked in a valley below the Dolomite hills, and offers the perfect quiet retreat to study the town’s palaces and churches.
Many crops grow well in the fertile Po Basin. Beans, radicchio, asparagus, pumpkins, squash, corn, celery, artichokes and cherries all lend themselves perfectly to Veneto’s cooking. Wine culture is strong in the region, with many types of whites and reds being produced there. Home wine and grappa making is a favorite hobby, and because of the excellent quality of the grapes, some home wines can rival commercial ones. Rice production has been honed to a fine art in the region, with countless creamy risotto recipes giving testament to the fact that rice is as important as a component on the Veneto table as it is for the profit from its export. Cattle farming and the dairy industry are highly prized in this area (butter is often used instead of olive oil in cooking), and cheeses find their way into many dishes. The ever-present love of pork and cured meats ensures a strong pork production industry in Veneto as well.
With risotto weighing in as Veneto’s most famous dish, the variations on it are virtually endless. In agricultural areas, vegetables of all sorts find their way into the risottos. Along the coastline, fish and shellfish are favorite additions. Locally made Asiago cheese is mixed in liberally, and grated on top as well. Risi e bisi, or “risotto with peas”, is a warm and hearty dish loved throughout Veneto and, as with all risottos, it can be tailored to accommodate your personal tastes as well as what might be left over in the fridge from last night’s meal. Try it as a side dish with pork roast, or as a satisfying “one-pot-wonder” meal on its own.
