1.Bigoli: You though spaghetti was good? Wait until you try bigoli, the signature pasta of the Veneto region. Unlike smooth, thin spaghetti, bigoli noodles are thick, coarse and tubular (each has a hole in the middle, similar to bucatini) and are traditionally handmade from buckwheat flour and duck eggs. Bigoli is generally served with a simple sauce of dry red wine, vegetables, and roasted wild duck—which clings better to the dense, rough noodles—and then garnished with parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan’.

2. Caprese Salad with Pesto Sauce: This timeless antipasti is what made me fall in love with Italian cuisine. It’s truly a magical combination of flavours, textures and freshness with tomato, mozzarella and basil and either a drizzle of sweet balsamic reduction of pesto (or both). Side note: It even represents the 3 colours of the Italian flag.

3. Eggplant Parmigiana: A filling vegetarian Italian meal that’s so hearty you won’t even miss the meat. This Italian casserole layered with parmesan cheese and tomatoes is a fabulous way to serve eggplant, indeed. Serve with a bed of rocket salad and some crispy garlic bread.