The authentic Ticino polenta should be cooked on an outdoor fire (or in a fireplace), but sadly, the practice is not common anymore. However, there are a few restaurants in the region that offer this traditional dish, prepared in the most authentic way – slowly and over a crackling fire.

In order to cook the dish, coarse polenta is slowly cooked in water and frequently stirred for approximately two hours until it develops a wonderful golden color. Butter is usually stirred into the polenta for extra creaminess. When served, the polenta is traditionally accompanied by a vast number of Ticino specialties such as cheeses, mortadella, or braised meat.