Cornmeal is widely used in northern Italian cuisine, in dishes which can be either savory or sweet. The region of Piedmont is renowned for their paste di meliga (meliga is a local name for polenta), crunchy cornmeal shortbread-style biscuits.

Made with a mixture of wheat and corn flour, sugar, vanilla, grated lemon zest, egg yolks, and butter, they are simple, yet very delicious. These little golden gems are traditionally served with zabaione and a glass of sweet dessert wine, but they also go wonderfully with espresso or a cup of tea on the side.