Raw or cooked, carne salada is the jewel in the crown of Upper Garda gastronomy. A holiday on the Trentino shores of Lake Garda in one of its marvellous villages such as Torbole will offer holidaymakers more than just an opportunity to taste local delicacies.
Trentino is a predominantly mountainous territory. Garda Trentino is kissed by mountains and bathed by the clear waters of the lake, and this conformation allows for special vegetables such as the Torbole broccoli, as well as high-altitude pastures, ideal for cattle breeding.
Since ancient times, typical dishes and products made with beef have been produced here, as evidenced by manuscripts dating back to the 15th century, and the need to stock up on provisions for the winter has produced an elaborate dish worthy of note: carne salada.
CARNE SALADA: PREPARATION
Valuable parts of beef are used to prepare carne salada. The other ingredients are salt and spices such as pepper, garlic, rosemary, bay leaves and juniper berries.
After a rigorous maturation process, the cut of beef is stripped of all fat and sinewy parts and then dry-marinated with coarse salt, pepper and crushed garlic. After this process, the meat is immersed in a brine solution together with herbs and juniper berries in special metal containers. Curing varies from 25 to 30 days and takes place in dark rooms with a temperature not exceeding 12°. Every 3 days the meat is stirred and massaged so that the aromas penetrate the cut better.
HOW TO TASTE CARNE SALADA
One of the best ways to enjoy carne salada is raw, with just a drizzle of Garda Trentino extra virgin olive oil and, if desired, salt, pepper and parmesan flakes. A light and tasty dinner for a summer evening.
A classic recipe for eating carne salada instead is cooked in a pan and accompanied strictly with beans (fasoi in dialect) and onions.
There are many producers of carne salada in the area. In Riva, Arco, Tenno, Torbole. Here you can buy a lot of carne salada directly from them so that you can enjoy it at home with friends and introduce it to those who still don’t know what it is.
And if you don’t feel like cooking, you can enjoy a nice plate of carne salada in one of the many restaurants in the area. As an appetiser raw or cooked as a main course accompanied by beans or vegetables.
Recently, the Carne Salada of the Alto Garda area has even earned the honour of being awarded the De.Co.
Where to eat the real Carne Salada Trentina
Once in Trentino, it will be impossible not to hunt for restaurants that have real, authentic carne salada on the menu.
For an excellent dinner with a taste of both cooked and raw Carne Salada, our recommendation is the Trattoria Acetaia del Balsamico Trentino, the Carne Salada Restaurant on Lake Garda. Super panoramic, elegant and refined. Here you can enjoy self-produced carne salada and exceptional balsamic vinegar aged in oak barrels. In general, the whole area of Tenno, but also Torbole and Riva del Garda, contains restaurants of all kinds (from simple trattorias to top-level restaurants) where you can enjoy salted meat prepared to perfection.
A holiday on Lake Garda becomes pure magic if you combine outdoor sports, breathtaking views and boat trips with the taste of exceptional preparations such as Carne Salada.
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