To fully experience Livorno, it is essential to discover its traditions and typical dishes of the city. Through the most important events in the historic locations, you can appreciate ancient recipes, authentic ingredients and sublime food and wine combinations. Not only in Livorno, but also in Collesalvetti and Capraia, the culinary tradition welcomes citizens and tourists with themed events for a journey to discover the most authentic flavors.
Thanks to the typical contaminations of a city of sea, Livorno has numerous dishes absolutely to try, as the baccalà alla livornese, the chickpeas pie, the ponce and many other flavours. One of the most famous dishes is cacciucco, to which Livorno has dedicated the “Cacciucco Pride” for years. The streets of the centre, the boats at sea and the city's most famous sites, such as the Central Market, the Old Fortress and the Aquarium, open their doors for all lovers of good food to taste the famous 5C-certified Livorno cacciucco, not forgetting other typical dishes from the Labronian tradition.
There will also be shows, events, music and cultural initiatives surrounding this festival of flavours.
A regular event since 2000, the Squid Festival in Capraia is an opportunity to taste calamari (which the people of Capraia call squid) in all its culinary facets and typical island recipes. At the port, you can try the classic fried squid or squid with potatoes, or you can choose more unusual dishes such as squid lasagna, or decide to dare with more oriental flavours, combining couscous and typical spices. Every year, traditions and experiments come together to enhance the taste of squid in all its facets.
During this gastronomic event, there is also the Squid Fishing Competition: it takes place both by land and by sea, on sailboats or motorboats, involving a large number of participants divided into several categories. The weighing of the squids at the end of the competition on the quay in the port is also characteristic.
An event inextricably linked to the area's wine-growing aspects: in September, Nugola (a hamlet of Collesalvetti) dresses up in delicacies with wine tastings paired with typical and traditional Tuscan dishes. The main focus of the event is a conference on viticulture issues at the Frescobaldi farm.
This event is one of the "most delicious" occasions to discover local wines thanks to the direct involvement of the wineries.
