Vegetarian Italy on a budget
Posted by Ok_Gas_1591@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 14 comments
Hi all, first post, so excuse if I miss including something I should. My sisters and I are traveling to Italy (Rome, Venice, anywhere else along the way) in January/February, and are also strict Hindu vegetarians. Meaning, all the admonitions to ENJOY THE FOOD AND WINE are stressing us out, lol. Our restrictions are:
No meat (beef, pork, anything, not even broth made from)
No poultry (of any fowl sort)
No fish/seafood
No eggs
No cheese with animal rennet (most traditional Italian cheeses are made this way)
No alcohol (no wine, beer, spirits of any kind)
As you can imagine...our limitations are severe, laid against the Mediterranean/Italian menu.
Has anyone had any experience eating there, without needing to eat solely from the supermarket (boring), or only the vegetarian restaurants that can be found (too expensive for our budget)? What can we look for to help us find options we can actually eat? I tried to enquire on Quora once, but few people there seemed to understand our limitations - they just kept suggesting dishes with cheese (of the rennet variety.) Any suggestions GREATLY appreciated!
policygeek80@reddit
There are quite a lot of vegan in Italy. Every restaurant in large enough cities will offer at least a vegan dish
Ok_Gas_1591@reddit (OP)
Yeah, that’s what I hear; but I am also hearing that it is often marinara pasta or pizza. My family members who have traveled there multiple times before all say short of going specifically to vegan restaurants, you eat an awful lot of pasta and pizza. I am just hoping I might find some variety, too! Even in Thailand, where fish pervades everything, and eggs and meat are also hard to avoid, I was able to find a decent selection of inherently vegan foods I could just buy off the street. Same in Korea. Would love to do it in Italy, too.
policygeek80@reddit
It depends where you go. More you go South, more vegetables dishes you get but well you cannot pretend to avoid meat, fish, all cheese and then also avoid pizza and pasta….
Ok_Gas_1591@reddit (OP)
Yeah, there’s the issue. I do eat some cheeses, though - so that helps. And I am hearing that polenta at its base is ok - it’s just going to depend on how they serve it, I guess. No use if the polenta is cooked with just water and salt, and then has lard incorporated or something.
policygeek80@reddit
Polenta is just in the North. They do not include lard. In some places they may add some butter or cheese though. Otherwise you can get grilled veggies basically everywhere
Ok_Gas_1591@reddit (OP)
North is where we intend to go, so that is promising. We aren’t vegan, so that helps a bit.
auntwewe@reddit
Sounds like you need a vegan menu not vegetarian. I would think you could find something to eat almost anywhere, even if it’s just pasta with olive oil and vegetables.
candynickle@reddit
Fair warning - a lot of Italian pastas are made with egg too.
ThereIsNo14thStreet@reddit
Yes, definitely very easily doable!
murakamidiver@reddit
Can be done very easily shipping at outdoor markets and cooking for yourself
alie1020@reddit
Mozzarella, buratta and ricotta aren't made with rennet, so you could still try a capresse salad or a buratta pizza. Just make sure they don't garnish with any parmasan.
faulknip@reddit
I didn't struggle at all with vegan food, you'll be fine
mahakalos@reddit
Quite literally any normal Italian dish you can ask for without the meat, cheese etc… and most places have no issue honoring the request.
As for wine in dishes, just ask to clarify.
leavesmeplease@reddit
Yeah, I guess that's the trick, just being clear and asking for modifications. It might take a bit of extra effort, but most places are usually pretty accommodating. Maybe check out local markets for fresh produce, too, since street food can often have some vegetarian options that fit your needs. It's all about getting creative and making the most of what you can find.