Top 5 Street Foods in Southern Italy

Guest Post by Cherrye Moore

The food of southern Italy is as diverse as the people, dialects and scenery that compose this little-traversed land called Italy’s Mezzogiorno. Even within regions recipes vary and locals have their favorite spices, additions and secret ingredients. Still, there are a few things southern Italian food has in common, most importantly … that memorable experience. Here are five different types of “street food” you should look for if you are visiting southern Italy.

1. Milza (Sicily)

The first time I went to Sicily, or more specifically, Palermo, I was told to try a milza sandwich. Since I’m not one to go looking for organ meat, or in this case, spleen, smothered in cheese and plopped on a sandwich, I politely passed, however braver eaters than me should give it a go.

2. Morzello (Calabria)

Palermo isn’t the only one with an organ meat specialty to its name, Calabria’s capital city is known for Morzello, or Morzeddhu in local dialect. This super spicy tripe dish is historically eaten with pitta bread and a glass of homemade wine around 10:30 in the morning, but travelers can look for it in traditional trattorie or homemade shops in the historical center of Catanzaro.

3. Sfogliatella (Campania)

Just to sweeten the list, southern Italy travelers near Naples should have sfogliatella at least once (a day) during their vacation. This pastry is typically eaten for breakfast, however you will find them in many pastry shops throughout the day and sometimes on menus as a dessert option.

4. Arancini (Sicily)

Arancini are to southern Italian food what french fries are to America’s fast food … they are everywhere … they are different from one place to the next and they are irresistible. Arancini (fried rice balls) are originally from Sicily, so Sicilian-bound travelers should try them there, especially the original version that is made with ground beef, tomato sauce and green peas.

5. Croquettes (Campania)

Croquettes, or potato croquettes, are a popular southern Italian appetizer, typically served before pizza. These heaven-in-a-roll treats are mashed potatoes stuffed with cheese, then fried and are best when eaten hot. They vary greatly from one place to the next, but I’ve been known (at the best places) to order a bag full of croquettes and skip the pizza.

What are some of your favorite southern Italian street foods?

Cherrye Moore is an American freelance writer and Calabria tour consultant living in southern Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI Travel Insurance and about traveling in Calabria on her sites, My Bella Vita, and Il Cedro Bed and Breakfast, the website for her B&B in Catanzaro.

About The Author

Cecil Lee

The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.