For a food and wine tour in the northern tip of Lake Garda, read this post and get ready to savor fine and delicious local products, naturally in complete relaxation.
Il Garda Trentino it is that picturesque area that is located on northern tip of Lake Garda. We are located in the province of Trento, the area includes the cities of Riva del Garda, Torbole sul Garda and, in part, bow.
Curiosities about Lake Garda
In truth, not many people know that Lake Garda, with its surface of about 370 km², touches both the Lombardy Region and the Veneto, but also the Trentino Alto Adige, albeit in a small but beautiful portion. The lake is configured as a junction between the three regions. In particular, the northernmost part is located in a depression that creeps into the Alps, which makes it a fairytale space because here you can find deep waters, green valleys and high mountains.
This area has always been touristy because of its obvious beauties and views, the lake resorts have always fascinated tourists and curious and naturally invite you to relax. However recently these areas are becoming more and more known for theirs as well food and wine specialties.
In the post I will recommend three Garda Trentino specialties, with their addresses to mark and try.
1. The special oil of Garda Trentino
This particular point of Lake Garda enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate that combines with the Alpine area behind it, in fact beautiful olive trees and lemon trees bloom on these shores. L'Oil it is perhaps the most typical product of the area and it seems that the Romans, over 2.000 years ago, brought the first olive trees to the Upper Garda. Here they found fertile land for the production of this yellow gold. Local olives are harvested once a year and produce theGarda DOP oil, a famous and highly prized oil.
It is a delicate oil, the protagonist of traditional local cuisine where it is advisable to try it associated with lake fish or with Raw Salada Meat, another local super typicality.
2. The history of Carne Salada
La Carne Salada it is probably the most local dish that you can find in these parts, and comes from a historical abundant use of meats and the need to find a method to keep them longer. Do you think that the history of this Carne Salada has its roots even in the 1700s. It consists of a piece of lean beef, generally it is the rump that is subjected to a particular process that makes it salty and flavored in a way that, believe me, there it will delight the taste buds. It can be eaten both raw, as an appetizer, thinly sliced and here it is recommended to be seasoned only with local oil. Or cooked, generally accompanied by beans and often also with polenta.
3. Broccoli from Torbole: vegetables from Garda Trentino
Recently promoted Slow Food Presidium, another super local product is the Broccoli from Torbole. Don't turn up your nose until you've tasted it, a whole different broccoli! Obviously you have to love the vegetables and the delicate even if strong flavors, but this is a special broccoli that grows only here due to the particular windy climate of the city of Torbole. Nowadays it is cultivated only on a small piece of land, which extends from the banks of the Sarca river, that is the locality Linfano di Arco up to Torbole. It is generally consumed boiled or raw and, even here, it perfectly accompanies both meat and delicate lake fish.
Now here I will give you some addresses where you can taste and others where you can buy the above products:
Garda DOP extra virgin olive oil
Agraria Riva del Garda (Via San Nazzaro, 4 Riva del Garda). Here you can both taste and buy, more generally it is a local historic company that produces oil, wines and has many local niche products, a boutique of local delights.
Agritur Calvola (Via Villa Calvola, 62, Ville del Monte). In this case, beyond the oil, here you can taste, among the various Trentino delights, also the tagliatelle con le molche, made with a very special olive mixture. The lake view is also not to be missed.
Carne Salada
Acetaia del Balsamico Trentino (Strada di S. Zeno, 2, Tenno). Really panoramic restaurant exactly "above" the town of Riva del Garda. Here, as is already clear from the name, you will find its own production of balsamic vinegar but also the much desired carne salada and some other products made here. I would like to point out that you can also sleep there as it is also a B&B.
Foci Da Rita Restaurant (Location Le Foci, 10, Tenno). Spartan but nice place, which is located next to the pleasant Varone waterfalls. Here you will find the classic dishes of the Trentino tradition, obviously including carne salada.
Trattoria Belvedere (Via Filippo Serafini, 2, Arco). Here too you will find the most typical local and Trentino dishes, from delicious canederli to carne salada.
Broccoli from Torbole
Bellavita restaurant (Piazza Benacense, 6 Torbole Sul Garda). In this restaurant you will find good local cuisine and in particular you can taste the famous broccoli paired with cheeses, gnocchi and even fish.
Forte Alto Restaurant (Via al Castèl Pénede, 26 Nago-Torbole). First of all, if the sky is clear, you will notice the breathtaking view of this place over the entire Lake Garda, then you can delight your palate with Torbole broccoli, perhaps in a crunchy velvety way and other local delicacies.
Of course, in addition to these, you will find many other delicious local products, including the excellent lake fish, which you really can't miss. I therefore hope to have encouraged you to take a gastronomic excursion in these areas. I point out in particular that, generally in autumn, it takes place Garda with Taste, a gourmet event dedicated tofood and wine of Garda Trentino.
