Polenta
Note: Many of These Will Work Well as a Main Course Too
About Polenta
The pasta of
the North and then some, it's amazingly versatile, and perfect for important
occasions or every day meals.
Standbys
Baked Polenta with Gorgonzola: Pasticcio di
Polenta e Gorgonzola
A hearty polenta dish that's perfect in
winter.
Difficulty: Moderate
Baked Polenta with Sausages: Polenta Pasticciata
con le Salsicce
Baked polenta with sausages, a tasty
alternative for a quick luncheon, or a simple dinner.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Polenta and Beans: Polenta coi
Fasoi
Polenta with beans, a tasty antipasto, or a nice
accompaniment to a roast or stew.
Difficulty: Moderate
Polenta with Rabbit Sauce: Polenta Col Sugo di
Coniglio
Polenta with stewed rabbit, an extremely tasty
one-course meal.
Difficulty: Moderate
The Reggitore's Polenta: Polenta del
Reggitore
Grilled polenta with deliciously runny cheese.
Difficulty: Easy
Other Polenta Dishes
Boar Between Two Flames: Cinghiale fra Due
Fuochi
Wild boar (or other game) marinated and stewed with the
marinade, will work beautifully with polenta.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Braised Beef with Polenta Gnocchi: Bue Brasato
con Gnocchi di Polenta
Elegant braised beef with polenta as a
side dish.
Difficulty: Moderate
Calentita
A Gibraltarian
variation on Panissa (chickpea polenta), which was introduced to the Rock by
Ligurian sailors.
Difficulty: Easy
Chestnut Polenta with Sausages: Polenta di
Castagne con Salsicce
Chestnut flour polenta with a rich oniony
sausage sauce. Perfect for winter!
Difficulty: Moderate
Dirty Polenta: Polenta Vuncia
Polenta richly layered with butter and cheese. Mouthwatering!.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Friulian Baked Polenta: Polenta Pastizada
Trionfo Friulana
An extraordinarily rich baked polenta, a
perfect centerpiece for a festive meal.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Lodigiana-Style Polenta Fritters: Frittelle di
Polenta alla Lodigiana
Tasty polenta fritters filled with
prosciutto and cheese. The perfect tidbit!
Difficulty:Moderate
Lombard Baked Polenta: Polenta Pasticciata alla
Lombarda
A rich baked polenta with cheese that will help keep
the chill of winter at bay.
Difficulty: Moderate
Milanese Baked Polenta: Polenta Pasticciata alla
Milanese
A rich, elegant baked polenta dish with meat and
mushrooms to keep winter at bay.
Difficulty: Moderate
Ossa dei Morti
In parts of the
Veneto region these cookies are made with a polenta-based dough.
Difficulty: Moderate
Panissa
Classic Ligurian frugal
peasant food, a polenta made from chickpea flour that will make a satisfying,
simple meal.
Difficulty: Easy
Polenta and the Birds that got Away: Polenta e
Osei Scappati
A stew for when the hunters come up empty.
Difficulty: Moderate
Polenta and Herring, or Polenta e
Scopeton
Polenta with fish was one of the standard meals of
the poor in Northern Italy until quite recently. Peasant food, of
sorts.Difficulty: Easy.
Polenta Gnocchi with Parmigiano, Butter and
Prosciutto: Gnocchi di Polenta con Parmignao, Burro e Prosciutto
These are a refreshing change from regular gnocci, and will be an excellent
wintery first course, or go well with a roast.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Polenta Squares with Gorgonzola, or Crostoni al
Gorgonzola
Polenta is remarkably versatile, and is a fine
base for crostini too. An excellent antipasto or party
food.
Difficulty: Easy
Polenta with Beans, Fava Beans, and Cabbage:
Polenta con Fagioli, Fave e Cavoli
Polenta with Cabbage and
Beans, frugal winter fare from the Marches
Difficulty: Moderate
Polenta with Canned Tuna: Polenta col Tonno
Sott'Olio
Polenta with tuna sauce, a tasty Marchegian treat
for days when meat is forbidden.
Difficulty: Moderate
Polenta with Snails: Polentone con
Lumache
Snails and polenta, rustic fare for a Friday meal up
in the mountains where there wasn't any fish. And instructions on preparing
snails.
Difficulty: Advanced if you start with live snails, and moderate if
you use canned ones.
Rich Polenta: Polenta Grassa
Plain polenta is, well, plain. Add lots of butter and Fontina, and heat it
gently for a while, and you'll have a dish fit for a king!
Difficulty:
Moderate
Sardinian Polenta: Polenta alla
Sarda
A hearty, rustic Sardinian polenta dishe with cheese
and tomato sauce; combined with a tossed salad it will be a perfect meal.
Difficulty: Easy
Sea Scallops and Mushrooms over
Polenta
A tasty recipe from Sturat Borken.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Tyrolean Baked Polenta: Polenta Pasticciata alla
Tirolese
A zesty baked polenta with anchovies that's very
refreshing in summer.
Difficulty: Moderate
Viandese-Style Polenta: Polenta alla
Viandese
Polenta, seasoned with lemon zest, sugar, and fried:
a traditional snack or breakfast in Mantova.
Difficulty:
Moderate
White Polenta Quenelles with Chantarelle Sauce:
Quenelles di Polenta Bianca con Ragù di Finferli
Polenta dumplings with a graceful wild mushroom sauce.
Difficulty:
Moderate
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