In a city of about 3.5 million people, the Jewish population in Rome is currently estimated at approximately 27.000. By all accounts, a small number in light of the fact that this ethnic/religious group has been here over 2000 years, longer than any other community in Europe.
Sometime between the 1550's and the 1800's , the Jewish population was confined to the small geographical location in the center of Rome still called the Jewish ghetto, four gates or "Porte" defining the perimeter. This was a dark period yet one that gave rise to what is still enjoyed today as Roman Jewish street food. During those three long centuries, they were limited in their access to many ingredients as well as the means to prepare food, so they became experts as street vendors in the "friggitori" style...... Therefore frying whatever they could get their hands on: carciofi alla giuda (artichokes), filetti di baccala' (codfish) , Fiori di zucca (zucchini flours), suppli' (known as rice balls elsewhere) etc.
Fast forward to 2015: you can't speak of Roman cuisine today without listing dishes from the Jewish tradition, just as you can't speak of Jewish Roman cuisine without invariably having to include the staples of Italian food. You would be surprised to find that many dishes considered typically "Italian" are actually modern reiterations from the Jewish-Roman kitchens.
I never leave Rome without having consumed at least one or more "carciofi alla giuda", a flash fried artichoke ( no batter) , with crispy leaves on the outside, yet a tender bitter sweet heart....absolutely delicious. A sprinkle of sea salt accentuates and completes the unique taste.
One must note that despite many of the foods mentioned here are fried, they are never greasy or oily, rather they are battered in a light fluffy batter that crackles at the bite and leaves one satisfied, yet not unctuous; multiple napkins not needed!
Just this month I again enjoyed a great meal in this Roman neighborhood, located between the popular Campo dei Fiori and the banks of the River Tiber, just behind the beautiful Jewish Synagogue. Because of the recent disturbances of late, police presence was obvious yet unobtrusive as I walked around. The many restaurants and kosher shops were bustling and filled with happy consumers and tourists alike.
Here is a partial list of some restaurants you should not miss on your next trip to Rome. These are all located on the same pedestrian street just a few steps from each other. You can certainly enjoy Roman -Jewish dishes in almost any restaurant in this city, but why not do it in the very location where they were created?
In no particular order or preference, here they are:
La Taverna Del Ghetto..Well, full disclosure, this one is a favorite!!!
Ba' Ghetto
Da Giggetto
Nonna Betta
Il Portico
Bella Carne
Sometime between the 1550's and the 1800's , the Jewish population was confined to the small geographical location in the center of Rome still called the Jewish ghetto, four gates or "Porte" defining the perimeter. This was a dark period yet one that gave rise to what is still enjoyed today as Roman Jewish street food. During those three long centuries, they were limited in their access to many ingredients as well as the means to prepare food, so they became experts as street vendors in the "friggitori" style...... Therefore frying whatever they could get their hands on: carciofi alla giuda (artichokes), filetti di baccala' (codfish) , Fiori di zucca (zucchini flours), suppli' (known as rice balls elsewhere) etc.
Fast forward to 2015: you can't speak of Roman cuisine today without listing dishes from the Jewish tradition, just as you can't speak of Jewish Roman cuisine without invariably having to include the staples of Italian food. You would be surprised to find that many dishes considered typically "Italian" are actually modern reiterations from the Jewish-Roman kitchens.
I never leave Rome without having consumed at least one or more "carciofi alla giuda", a flash fried artichoke ( no batter) , with crispy leaves on the outside, yet a tender bitter sweet heart....absolutely delicious. A sprinkle of sea salt accentuates and completes the unique taste.
One must note that despite many of the foods mentioned here are fried, they are never greasy or oily, rather they are battered in a light fluffy batter that crackles at the bite and leaves one satisfied, yet not unctuous; multiple napkins not needed!
Just this month I again enjoyed a great meal in this Roman neighborhood, located between the popular Campo dei Fiori and the banks of the River Tiber, just behind the beautiful Jewish Synagogue. Because of the recent disturbances of late, police presence was obvious yet unobtrusive as I walked around. The many restaurants and kosher shops were bustling and filled with happy consumers and tourists alike.
Here is a partial list of some restaurants you should not miss on your next trip to Rome. These are all located on the same pedestrian street just a few steps from each other. You can certainly enjoy Roman -Jewish dishes in almost any restaurant in this city, but why not do it in the very location where they were created?
In no particular order or preference, here they are:
La Taverna Del Ghetto..Well, full disclosure, this one is a favorite!!!
Ba' Ghetto
Da Giggetto
Nonna Betta
Il Portico
Bella Carne
