Venice is the place to order first courses, or primi, made with fresh pastas or risotto. If you are going to try risotto, this is the place to do it. While there are many thoughts on how risotto (or rice) was actually brought to Italy, popular belief is that it was first introduced by the Arabs during the Middle Ages. The humidity of the Mediterranean was perfect for growing shorter-grained rice and soon became a staple in Venice and regions in the North. As usual, the Italian city-states were competing, and the Venetians would spare nothing when hosting neighboring cities to a notable event.
The Doges Palace would prepare an exquisite minestra di riso. Centuries later, this evolved into what we know today as risotto. It’s a hearty, warming rice dish, rich with the flavors of the stock, wine, saffrito, and any of the hundreds of ingredients that match so perfectly with it.
Risotto is the northern Italian comfort food!
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