What to eat in Italy if you are a vegetarian: 5 (+1 bonus) tips

Among all the Italian vegetarian dishes we would like to start from 'parmigiana di melanzane' (eggplant parmigiana). But we also have the 'Sicilian caponata' (fried eggplants and other vegetables) and the 'Tuscan pappa al pomodoro' (tomato soup). 

For instance, in the Abruzzo region, even if one of the most popular dishes is 'arrosticini', made with meat, you may also eat the delicious 'pallotte cacio e ove', which are vegetarian dumplings made with eggs, cheese and bread. Or 'sagne e fagioli', a type of egg pasta with beans (yes, in Central Italy pulses are so typical and so good!).

Some other examples, would you?

If you are traveling to Rome don't lose the chance to eat pasta with 'cacio e pepe' sauce (type of cheese plus pepper) and the 'carciofi alla romana' (an artichoke recipe); at the mountains (especially in the Alps area) try 'polenta with mushrooms' or the delicious fonduta (melted cheese).

Speaking about cheese, Italy is a crazy place to eat it: 'parmesan', 'mozzarella', 'pecorino' and the queen of them all, the 'burrata'.

Let's not forget about soups and 'risotto' made with all types of vegetables, cheese or mushrooms.

Now that you are starting to get hungry, it's time we share our 5+1 tips with you!

You may know that 'Italian cuisine' means a variety of dishes. Here in Italy typical dishes differ from one region to another and also from one place to another. What you eat typically in Val d'Aosta is probably uncommon in Sicily, for example.

So, it's important that before you start your Italian holidays, you get informed about the local cuisine and all the vegetarian dishes you may try once you arrive.

We have experienced a little preliminary gastronomic adventure, but the truth is that in each corner of Italy you will go you will find tasty vegetarian temptations.

To make the most of your vacation and not search for hours for places that give vegetarian alternatives, it might be helpful to rely on technology.

Nowadays, there are in fact dozens of veg-friendly apps that have saved more than one person, whether vegetarian or vegan. In fact, by quickly scrolling through your phone's store, you can find numerous app alternatives. Some apps not only suggest restaurants that offer vegetarian and vegan options, but also veg-friendly B&Bs and hotels.

In addition to plant-based cuisine, some apps also provide maps of stores that wink at the plant-based world: stores, cafes, even pharmacies.

In short, these apps provide not only a wealth of suggestions, but also the support of an equally great community.

To get into the groove of a vacation, often the best thing to do is to flock to local markets. If you've chosen to eat vegetarian, fruit and vegetable markets are an unmissable resource while on the road.

Local fruits and vegetables that you might not find by shopping at the supermarket, but also local milk and cheeses we talked about above. Field herbs and particular varieties of far better-known produce may in fact not be available within the larger stores.

Exploring fruit and vegetable markets will allow you to get in touch with the culture of the place, but also with its cuisine. And a really tasty and genuine cuisine.

A person who has chosen to eat vegetarian knows that very often in restaurants which are not exclusively vegan or vegetarian there is not a wide choice of offerings. In the vast majority of cases, only one or two vegetarian dishes are offered (salad included).

When you are traveling, however, don't let this thing limit you and don't give up the experiences you most want to have. A meat sauce ('ragù') is easily converted to a tomato sauce, for example. Or you can easily ask the waiter to remove an animal ingredient from the dish. Don't forget you are in Italy and a vegetarian pizza is often a good choice.

Very often, it will happen that the restaurant itself will come up with ad hoc vegetarian alternatives.

In short, with a little flexibility on one side and the other, it will be really easy to succeed in eating with taste at all stages of one's journey!

When we go on holiday, we would like everything to go smoothly and to be perfect all the time. As we well know, however, it is often our own expectation that causes the vacation not to be as perfect as we would like.

Choosing to eat vegetarian could be seen as an obstacle to enjoying one's trip. In truth, it all depends on one's attitude toward the choice one has made and one's attitude toward the vacation itself.

If you can't find veg-friendly restaurants maybe you will find something interesting in stores, supermarkets or some food trucks.

Being flexible and not letting everyday little inconveniences get the better of our relaxing days is the most important advice of all.

At that point you will see that the thought of what to eat while on vacation will no longer be an obstacle, but a new and wonderful opportunity for discovery. Whether you are a vegetarian or not.

Anyway, just in case, wine and beer are vegetarian drinks!