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Whether we're talking soup, gelato or cheese, stracciatella is delicious any way you slice it - but just make sure you clarify which one you're talking about!
In Italian cuisine, the word "stracciatella" does triple-duty. The origin of the word means "little shreds," which just so happens to describe every version of the food perfectly.
Chocolate Hazelnut Stracciatella Semifreddo
Stracciatella, The Gelato
Let's kick it off with the newest Italian food to carry the Stracciatellaname! This flavor was originally created in Bergamo, northern Italy, at the Ristorante La Marianna in 1961. The name refers more to the method than the actual flavor of the gelato. It consists of drizzling in chocolate, Nutella, or even caramel at the very end of the churning process - this way, instead of the gelato getting completely mixed with the flavoring, it has streaks - or "little shreds"! - of the flavor throughout. The method was inspired by the soup of the same name, which brings us to...
Giada's Simple Stracciatella
Stracciatella, The Soup
Giada refers to this soup as "Italy's version of egg drop soup," and it's the ultimate quick and comforting meal. The recipe originated in Rome hundreds and hundreds of years ago, and is said to have been created when families had loads of leftover broth on Christmas from cooking their meat. The process is simple: a mixture of eggs, often with cheese and other flavorings, gets quickly whisked into a hot broth to create little shreds - aka, Stracciatella.
Roasted Caprese Salad
Stracciatella, The Cheese
Hailing from the south of Italy in Puglia, Stracciatella cheese is a rich, creamy and fresh soft cheese characterized by - yes, you guessed it! - little shreds of cheese. It is essentially the creamy inside of burrata - burrata is simply Stracciatella cheese with a thin mozzarella casing. Incredible eaten simply with olive oil and salt, on crostini or with fresh tomatoes, it's an absolutely delicious delicacy.
FAQs
Stracciatella is a type of pasta filata (spun paste) cheese made from finely torn shreds of freshly stretched mozzarella. It has a light, bouncy texture and lactic sweetness.
What is stracciatella gelato? ›
Stracciatella, The Gelato
It consists of drizzling in chocolate, Nutella, or even caramel at the very end of the churning process - this way, instead of the gelato getting completely mixed with the flavoring, it has streaks - or "little shreds"!
What does the word stracciatella mean? ›
Stracciatella can refer to a Roman soup, a cheese from Puglia, or a gelato flavor that originated in Lombardy. Meaning little rags, stracciatella is the name for three different Italian foods: soup, cheese, and gelato – the only thing they have in common is their name.
Is stracciatella cheese or ice cream? ›
If you love Italian food, you may have seen “stracciatella” on menus and in cookbooks. But what does stracciatella mean? The first thing you need to know is that this isn't one dish but three rather different ones: Stracciatella is an ice cream (gelato) flavor, an egg-drop soup, and a soft cheese.
Is stracciatella cheese like mozzarella? ›
In the most basic sense, burrata is a thin layer of mozzarella housing a stracciatella filling. Stracciatella, in turn, is a combination of fresh cream and mozzarella shreds, likely a way for cheesemakers to utilize the scraps of the mozzarella-making process.
Can I eat stracciatella? ›
This popular Italian soft cheese is widely used as a topping for pizzas, pastas, and risottos. It perfectly pairs with salads or fresh bread and tomatoes. When eaten alone, it should be tasted at room temperature. Remove it from the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving.
What is the closest cheese to stracciatella? ›
Stracciatella cheese
It is also the forerunner of burrata, as it's made from the same ingredients (mozzarella and cream cheese) but comes in a less elaborate shape. As such, stracciatella is a great burrata substitute, rendering the same taste.
Is gelato healthier than ice cream? ›
The main difference between ice cream and gelato is their fat content. With only 4-9% fat to the usual 10-25% of ice cream, gelato usually is lighter and healthier. Per portion, however, the answer is clear, gelato is typically healthier than ice cream.
What is the difference between ice cream and gelato? ›
Gelato has a lower milk fat content than ice cream, usually 4 to 9%, yielding a softer, denser texture and smaller ice crystals. That's a result of the base, which typically includes less cream and more milk, as well as a slower churning process that introduces less air into the final product.
What do you eat stracciatella with? ›
Stracciatella pairs wonderfully with fresh pasta. Try a dollop on spaghetti bolognese or gnocchi with marinara sauce. You can add stracciatella to a tomato sauce and prosciutto pizza straight from the oven to take your pizza night to the next level. With roasted veggies.
Stracciatella (Italian: [strattʃaˈtɛlla]) is a variety of gelato; it has fine strands of drizzled chocolate stirred through it. It was originally created in Bergamo, northern Italy, at the Ristorante La Marianna in 1961.
Is stracciatella healthy? ›
Containing 260 mg of calcium per 100 g, Stracciatella plays a modest yet valuable role in promoting overall health. While it may not be the primary source of calcium, this essential mineral found in Stracciatella contributes to bone health, providing structural support and strength.
What does stracciatella cheese taste like? ›
Since it's made with cream, stracciatella tastes incredibly rich. Texturally, it's similar to Italian stracciatella soup or Chinese egg drop soup, with wisps of cheese curds bound together by cream.
What's the difference between stracciatella and burrata? ›
The mozzarella shell is filled with a creamy core that includes Stracciatella. The contrast between Burrata's firm outer shell and its creamy interior makes it unique. Stracciatella adds a creamy texture to pasta sauces and makes risottos richer, while its mild flavour complements pizzas and bruschettas.
How do Italians eat stracciatella? ›
After dining out in Italy last summer and finding it served straight up – literally, Italians will eat this cheese as an appetizer with a spoon. Sometimes with accoutrements like nuts, jams or honey. I have since brought the Italian approach to stracciatella home.
What is the flavor of stracciatella? ›
This elegant Italian version of chocolate-chip ice cream unites creamy vanilla gelato with luscious dark chocolate slivers. Those chocolate slivers are made by hand-spinning melted Ghirardelli chocolate into fresh vanilla gelato.
