Today we are sharing with you a Venetian tradition, as easy to create for your guests at home as it is to enjoy in La Serenissima herself. Cicchetti. Pronounced, chee-ket-tee. They are local snacks, traditionally served with an “ombra”, a small glass of local wine.

With a proud smile on her face, Sabrina went to speak with the man behind the counter.  She came back saying, “OK, he is preparing for us some specialties from the area.”  We had no idea what was in store.  The waiter arrived with a plate of baked Radicchio di Treviso, the most gorgeous looking food I’ve ever seen, with polenta, a cheese from the mountains, and a local meat.  Every bite was special.

Salads in Italy are different from many of ours here, as they do not use salad dressings like we have in so many varieties.  Instead, they are delicately drizzled in extra virgin olive oil and maybe some lemon juice or a good vinegar.  With such fresh, seasonal ingredients, it works nicely.  The sweetness of the almost licorice tasting fennel combined beautifully with citrusy oranges and slightly salty olives.  Spicy olive oil was the perfect finish.