This article is dedicated to all lovers of food and wine, eager to taste the delicacies of the area.
Knowing the culture of a place through its food traditions, is an experience that appeals to many, but often it is not easy to find the right places to do it: for this reason we have created a culinary tour through the valleys and lake villages around Varese. From fish from the lake to local DOP cheese, to traditional sweets: here it is a tour through traditional dishes and specialties!
The area around Varese is also known as "the land of the lakes": in fact, there are more than 7 freshwater basins besides Lake Maggiore. The tour starts right there, from the Luinese Valley, situated in the north of the province. Here the food star is the Formaggella del Luinese DOP, local dairies' pride, soft goat cheese.
However, there is not only Formaggella del Luinese: among the local products to taste absolutely, discover the "Appena Munto", a semi-aged cheese made within two hours of milking with uncooled raw milk. If you are curious about tasting, you can not miss a stop at Il Ronco di Zanotti Paolo & Luigi.
Taste it, accompanied by honey of the Apicoltura Frattini Diego, produced exclusively on the territory or by compotes created with combinations for the most demanding palates, lovers and researchers of original flavors, or in an agriturismo, in one of the huts in the valleys or directly from the producers.
@gabriellalarghi
Going south along the lake shore you meet different lake villages, from Laveno to Ranco and Taino, where the Agriturismo La Camelia, will delight you with a menu at km 0. It's easy to smell the aroma of fried Lavarello and Persico, freshwater fishes you can also tase in the "in carpione" edition.
The freshwater fish has a delicate flavor, you can taste it in different restaurants in the area, such as Ristorante Conca Azzurra in Ranco or in the summer fests.
Which wine you should match? If you are a wine lover the next stop is a must: the medieval hamlet of Angera is a wine-growing area, with many wineyards. Here is produced a good white wine, protected under the brand name of origin I.G.T. Ronchi Varesini, perfect with a fishlake menu.
To deepen your knowledge on the wines of the area, we recommend a visit to Cascina Ronchetto in Morazzone: surrounded by green meadows, it is the ideal place to enjoy a relaxing glass of local wine.
@marcotamby and @simonefraietta
Last but not least the next two stops feature products from other lakes: the peaches of Monate, a true excellence of the territory, frequently served with gelato or Brutti e Buoni of Gavirate, small town situated on the shore of Lake Varese.
You can find peaches of Monate directly from the local farmers or listed in the menu of many traditional restaurants, while Brutti e Buoni in local bakeries: the legend tells that Signor Veniani from gavirate created the original recipe.
Peaches are not the only renowned fruit of our territory: the Azienda Agricola A Poc A Poc, specialized in the production of blueberries, will delight you with its juices and compotes 100% natural.
Finally, we suggest to the ones who love fish to drive to Laghetto Fonteviva, a small reservoir with a nice Chalet Restaurant on a side. Buon appetito!
Take a bit of Varese with you: discover the baskets based on local goodness of local producers. A perfect souvenir to close a mouth-watering itinerary!
Where to stay: find your lake view Hotel in Varese
What to do: book a tasting to discover all the local products.
Do you want to be accompanied on this tour? Request a licensed tour guide. Contact us!
Plan your stay and your experience in the land of the lakes.
