Strudel (Trentino-Alto Adige)

You may not think of strudel as a classic Italian dish, but Trentino Alto Adige, especially the region around Val di Non valley is renowned for their strudel. Rolling and stretching delicate sheets of paper-thin strudel pastry requires skills obtained through many years of practice, but the resulting flaky, crispy dessert is surely worth the effort.

Strudel can be prepared with various fruit, but given the fact that this area is renowned for their tasty apples, the most popular variety is strudel con le mele, usually prepared with Golden Delicious apples, due to the fact that they are available all year round.

Besides apples, the traditional filling includes raisins, sugar, butter, cinnamon, and pine nuts. The strudel is best enjoyed when it is still warm and generously dusted with powdered sugar.