Ciao a tutti!
Italy is one of the biggest food capitals of the world and for a good reason! It’s difficult to find food anywhere else that is made with such passion, and this is clearly shown in the quality of the food. One of the best bits for me is the snacks and street food that is available. You have the opportunity to try so many different things, many of which are vegan!
Many vegan street food options are mainly bread based, meaning they are almost always naturally vegan (although it’s best to check). The toppings or fillings are usually varied meaning you can easily tailor the products to make them vegan and also to suit your personal taste. Luckily being vegan definitely does not mean you will miss out on the culinary delights that Italy has to offer!
Crostini
Crostini are small pieces of toasted or fried bread topped with an array of delicious ingredients. They are commonly served as starters in restaurants, although they won’t be hard to find if you are wanting a fresh and delicious snack. Simply avoid any cheese and instead enjoy fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil with olive oil, or slow roasted Mediterranean vegetables with rocket.
Panelle
Panelle are fritters made from chickpea flour that originate in Sicily. They are an extremely popular street food in Palermo and are usually served in a bread roll. The crispness, richness and simple nature of Panelle make them the perfect street food to eat on the go.
Panzarotti
The process of making Panzerotti starts with a simple dough, which is then filled with various toppings, sealed and deep fried. Whilst traditionally they would be filled with tomato and mozzarella, you are also likely to find vegan alternatives. Versions with just plain tomato sauce are so delicious and make the perfect snack when you fancy trying something new. Make sure to enjoy them when they have been freshly cooked as they aren’t quite the same when they’re cool. Panzerotti Luini in Milan offers multiple vegan Panzerotti, including one with an onion, olive and tomato filling. Make sure to check it out when visiting!
Polenta
Another snack you must try is delicious deep-fried pieces of polenta. For a traditional street food snack, you will find polenta cut up into bite sized chunks, covered in batter and deep fried to create a crispy and oozy mouthful of heaven. It is also completely vegan! It is an extremely common ingredient across the country so you are likely to find it cooked in a few different ways. Yet, the best option for a quick snack would be to try the deep fried version as it is easy to eat on the go.
Pizza Slices
Would a trip to Italy really be complete without a slice of pizza? You will find amazing, authentic pizza places wherever you visit in Italy, and if you are in a rush to get to your next destination, a big slice will be ideal for lunch. Again, the base is naturally vegan, so simply have a slice that is covered with delicious tomato sauce and fresh vegetables. You will find that the further South you travel, you will find it easier to find actual vegan alternatives like vegan cheese, rather than just having to leave off the things you can’t eat. So, it is always worth asking if they have vegan options available! Although, the simplicity of a delicious pizza without the cheese is always a winner for me.
Taralli
Taralli are another bread based snack, almost a combination of bread, crackers and a pretzel all in one! It is soft but also crunchy with a really unique and delicious flavour. They are most commonly found in the South and can be glazed with sugar for those of you with a sweet tooth, or you can find savoury Taralli that are flavoured with onion, garlic and sesame seeds. This won’t be quite enough for lunch to fill you up until your evening meal (depending on how many you eat), but they are great as a morning or afternoon snack.
Arancini
These heavenly snacks are one of my favourites that I always have when I’m in Italy. They are balls of risotto rice which are covered in breadcrumbs and deep fried. They are also filled with all kinds of delicious things. Although sadly, they aren’t always vegan, as sometimes egg is used to roll the rice ball in before coating it with breadcrumbs. Yet, this isn’t always a common procedure so it is worth checking! Sundried tomato and garlic is my favourite filling to date, although you will be able to try so many different flavours across the country. Mondo Arancina in Rome offers two different types of vegan arancini that you must try if you’re in the area.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! Some of the best vegan street food snacks in Italy. Sadly most of these aren’t the healthiest of options, yet you have to make the most of the amazing food whilst you can! I usually try to have plenty of fruit in the morning with a multivitamin and then order a vegetable side with dinner. This will help to keep you energised so you can happily enjoy as many of these treats as you can! It is best to double check that these products are vegan to make sure there aren’t any hidden ingredients in that particular recipe, yet most of the time you will be absolutely fine with these snacks. Enjoy!
by 