Italian Snacks – “Never, never miss your Merenda”

“Never, never miss your Merenda“ is one of the most crucial life lessons that Italian teachers teach their students. The word “Merenda” conjures up the sweetest childhood memories for most people. Who can forget the grandma who would always wait for them outside the home with a small package of their favorite cookies? You shouldn’t miss Merenda because having a snack in the middle of the day will help you stay full until dinner, preventing binge eating.

When it comes to snacks, every country has a different set of tastes. Italian snacks frequently combine both sweet and salty ingredients. Follow the article to discover some delicious and well-known Italian sour, salty, and sweet snacks.

Italian Snacks Names

1. Taralli
2. Crocche
3. Arancini
4. Lupini Beans
5. Tramezzino
6. Pizzette
7. Grissini
8. Tirtlan
9. Pastiera
10. Arancini al cioccolato
11. Crema fritta
12. Italian Gelato

Sour & Salty Italian Snacks

1. Taralli

Italian dough rings called Taralli are formed with flour, olive oil, and spices, including salt, pepper, and fennel seeds. The Greek word “daratos,” which refers to a certain kind of bread, is where the name Tarallo originates. Taralli is one of the most famous Italian snacks in the southern part of Italy. They were first made as nourishment for the poor when bakers discovered how to save the leftover dough from making bread for the wealthy. 

The leftover dough scraps were blended with a little white wine and olive oil and baked by the bakers. Tally was eventually improved by being boiled first and then baked. These delicious Italian snacks are now produced in both savory and sweet varieties, and they are frequently dipped in wine before eating. 

2. Crocche

This famous deep-fried Italian snack from Sicily is called Crocche. It is a dish made of potatoes, eggs, Parmigiano, and mozzarella cheese. It is also known as “crocche di patate” and “panzerotti” in Neapolitan. Occasionally, prosciutto and salami are added. This delicious snack, which has a crunchy shell and a smooth, soft interior, was developed in Sicily in the 17th century when potatoes started to become a common foodstuff. It was influenced by the well-known French croquette.

3. Arancini

Arancini is one of the most delicious Italian snacks. They are large, golden rice balls with a filling of savory ingredients in the middle. In Sicily, this is where these balls are especially well-liked. Meat sauce with peas, dry prosciutto, and cheese like mozzarella and pecorino are common fillings. After being covered in breadcrumbs, the balls are cooked in high oil until their exteriors take on their distinctive golden color.

According to a widely accepted idea, those Italian snacks were created in the tenth century. Arancini, which means small oranges, is the dish’s name, which is formed from the Italian word for an orange, “Arancia,” in reference to its similarity in appearance and color.

4. Lupini Beans

The seeds of the Lupinus albus plant, a member of the Leguminous family, are what are known as Lupini beans and have been consumed throughout the Mediterranean region for centuries. This Italian snack is becoming more and more popular as a mid-afternoon snack, but in the 1990s it was frequently found at village festivals or markets around Italy, where it is sold at booths or served at cafes during aperitivo.

Why are they gaining popularity so quickly? Their extraordinary nutritional value is key. Lupini Beans are a “superfood,” ideal for vegetarians, athletes, and anyone looking for healthy and delicious snacks. Lupini beans have a protein content that is comparable to that of meat and are packed with nutrients like zinc, copper, selenium, and magnesium.

Lupini is typically sold brined and marinated, occasionally with salt or pepper added. They are becoming more and more popular in bars and snacks, frequently combined with other healthy ingredients like almonds or dried fruits, to capitalize on their nutritional benefits.

5. Tramezzino

A common Italian triangular sandwich known as Tramezzino is made with crustless, chewy white bread and a variety of ingredients, including tuna, prosciutto, and mayonnaise. The original Tramezzino is believed to have been created in Turin’s Caffe Mulassano in 1925. 

Tramezzino is one of the tastiest Italian snacks that quickly gained fame, particularly in Venice, where a glass of spritz is frequently paired with it. There are many different types of tramezzino accessible nowadays. and you can find them in cafes all around Italy. However, pre-packaged varieties that can be purchased in supermarkets are also widely available.

6. Pizzette

A Pizzette is a miniature pizza that can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes, including the shape of the heart. It is prepared similarly to a standard, large pizza, with a puff pastry or dough base covered with sauces, cheese, and numerous other elements. 

Typically, these Italian snacks are offered as a starter, a short snack, or a light dinner. A pizzette is frequently offered by weight at Rome’s bakeries, and remember that if you have an aperitif at a cafe, you can even receive a free pizzetta. 

7. Grissini

Traditional Italian snacks and breadsticks known as Grissini have their origins in Torino, a region in northwest Italy. These Italian snacks are made of crispy, dry bread that can also be flavored with Parmesan cheese, onions, sesame seeds, or rosemary. Since Grissini was created to treat the health issues of Duke Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy, we can say that they date back to the 17th century.

8. Tirtlan

One of the most well-known foods from the Val Pusteria valley is undoubtedly these tasty fritters. They are frequently paired with Zuppa d’orzo but are equally delicious as an appetizer, eaten hot or cold. 

The palm-sized circular pieces of dough produced from potatoes, white wheat, onions, water, and salt are flattened, topped with filling, and another piece of dough. and after that, finished off by being cooked in oil. The traditional filling is a combination of ricotta and spinach. 

Sweet Italian Snacks

9. Pastiera

The Pastiera is a tiny tart invented in Naples and is typically eaten during Easter.  Although some local cafes do prepare the tart year-round, it could be difficult to find outside of the Lenten season. These Italian snacks are produced using a very rare and ancient recipe that includes baked wheat, ricotta cheese, and orange tree flower essence. 

Even though the Pastiera has a long history dating back to Ancient Rome. It is a necessary component of any Neapolitan Easter feast. For the middle, whole white berries are boiled in milk until creamy before being combined with ricotta, sugar, eggs, and orange flower extract. It is absolutely fascinating. This Italian snack simply crumbles in your mouth and imparts the sweetness of delicious Italian cuisine to your taste buds. Without a doubt, you shouldn’t miss the chance to taste this cake in Italy. 

10. Arancini al cioccolato

Sicilian rice balls, known as Arancini are also known as Arancini al cioccolato in traditional Italian cuisine. In this variation, flavored chocolate sauce is used to fill the Arancini. Dark chocolate, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest are typically included in the filling. 

After being filled with the chocolate mixture and baked with milk and sugar, the Arancini is deep-fried in the oil until the outside is golden. We suggest you drain the rice balls with chocolate before eating them. They are typically offered as a sweet snack or as a dessert. 

11. Crema fritta

This deep-fried Italian snack is traditional street food, typically savored during the Christmas and carnival seasons, and is well known throughout the Veneto Area. However, in the Marche and Emilia -Romagna Areas, these fried foods are a component of a traditional appetizer, a mixed plate that also contains fried meat, vegetables, and olives. 

This Italian snack is translated as “fried cream.” It combines blocks of egg custard that have been well-chilled and are typically flavored with vanilla and lemon. They are then breaded and deep-fried until crispy. Pieces of fried custard, which are typically sliced into round or diamond shapes, can be served warm or cold, and if you want to eat them as a dessert, they go well with a sweet Italian wine.

12. Italian Gelato

Some people will say, “Gelato is an Italian summertime snack.” Don’t believe them, which is why an excellent gelato always warms your heart, whether in the middle of winter or the warmest day of the year. Don’t confuse this with “ice cream” in the American sense. Italian gelato is unique, so many visitors fall in love with this national snack of Italy.

Ice cream shops all around Italy sell artisanal gelato, which is available in cones and cups. However, you can get several excellent versions of this Italian snack at supermarkets, including chocolate-covered sticks and different cornetto varieties. But take into account that this type of gelato has more calories.

Bottom Line

In this article, we discussed varieties of Italian snacks that anyone may enjoy, regardless of preferences or place of origin. It is virtually impossible to stop eating them once you’ve tried them. Italy is a country where you can find numerous sweet and salty Italian snacks and enjoy them anytime. 

Have you ever tried any Italian snacks? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.