Crescentine in Bologna | Consuming Europe

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If you happen to fancy one thing somewhat lighter than tagliatelle al ragù or tortellini en brodo as you’re ambling round Bologna, look no additional than the beloved crescentine. This pillowy fried bread is usually filled with or accompanied by Italian meats and cheeses, making for the right snack or pick-me-up.

As you’ll know if you happen to’ve ever been on any of my Bologna meals excursions, the meals in Bologna is second to none, a lot in order that native go-tos like crescentine generally get ignored. 

On this article, I hope to persuade you that crescentines in Bologna are culinary gems to not be missed, and I’ve shared a few of my favourite spots to strive them for your self!

What Are Crescentine?

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At their core, crescentines are chunks of bread dough fried in lard or oil, giving them their signature crunchy outer layer and comfortable exterior. These much-loved treats are discovered everywhere in the Emilia-Romagna area, as their origins and historical past are rooted within the space.

They’re generally given totally different names relying on the precise metropolis, with some referring to them as crescentina Bolognese, crescentone, or torta fritta. But, they’re immediately recognizable due to their puffy look and golden colour.

Crescentine vs. Tigelle: What’s the Distinction?

Crescentine is usually confused with tigelle, a considerably comparable sort of regional bread. Nevertheless, the 2 have some notable variations, as crescentines are fried whereas tigelles are baked, historically over stone or terracotta discs of the identical title.

Whereas there are some overlaps within the recipes and preparation processes, the outcomes are fairly distinct. Tigelles are typically skinny, but crescentines are crunchy and puffy. That mentioned, there could also be another variances in numerous areas inside the area, reminiscent of in Bologna, Modena, or the Apennine cities.

When it comes to fillings, you’ll typically discover each pair completely with something from chilly cuts and pesto Modenese to native cheeses like squacquerone.

How Crescentine Are Served

Crescentine may be loved at any time of day and is usually offered as a shared appetizer or merenda, a lightweight snack round mid-morning or mid-afternoon. If you wish to workforce yours with some wine, go for glowing varieties like lambrusco or pignoletto.

Though there’s an nearly limitless listing of taste combos, I do have some serving options that I extremely advocate you strive for your self. Some must-try fillings embody:

• Comfortable cheeses like squacquerone
• Mortadella, salami, prosciutto crudo
• Pesto Modenese (a ramification made out of lard, garlic, and rosemary)
• Pickles or giardiniera (assorted pickled greens)

For one thing totally different, strive candy options like jam, chocolate, or cream.

Greatest Locations to Eat Crescentine in Bologna

Indegno

Indegno is definitely the most effective locations to eat crescentine in Bologna, and so they have a handful of areas scattered throughout town. To date, I’ve solely made it to the By way of del Pratello department, however I’ve made a number of visits to this informal, grab-and-go spot.

The menu is fairly intensive right here, and I selected the crescentine with pesto Modenese and black pepper-infused parmesan cream. This mixture of tastes and textures was unimaginable, because the wealthy, garlicky pesto, sharp cheese, and heat bread complemented each other.

Indegno – 40122 Bologna – Open each Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 12:30 pm to three:00 pm and from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm and each Friday and Saturday from 12:30 pm to three:00 pm and from 6:30 pm to 2:00 am.

Noi

Picture credit score: Noi

Noi is a implausible spot for crescentine in Bologna and is conveniently situated within the Mercato delle Erbe. It’s easy however trendy inside and boasts a prolonged menu of Bolognese favorites.

Their crescentine was a spotlight for me, and my good friend and I ordered a basket for the desk. We teamed these barely savory morsels with a collection of chilly cuts, together with a beneficiant serving of lean salame rosa.

Noi – 40121 Bologna – Open each Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to three:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, Saturday from 12:00 pm to three:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and each Sunday from 12:00 pm to three:00 pm.

Albergo Ristorante Merlino

Picture credit score: Albergo Ristorante Merlino

These of you wanting to enterprise out of town and to a few of the quaint Apennine Mountain cities have so as to add Albergo Ristorante Merlino in Castel d’Aiano to your listing. Crescentine started as a humble dish in rural Emilia-Romagna, so that you received’t remorse making the journey to the countryside for a really genuine expertise.

I overdid it somewhat on the crescentine right here to the purpose the place I may barely end my meal. Nevertheless, the snappy dough, sharp cheeses, and candy chilly cuts have been greater than price it!

Albergo Ristorante Merlino – 40034 Castel D’aiano – Closed each Monday, open each Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to three:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am.

Trattoria Nonna Rosa

I couldn’t conclude this listing of the most effective locations to eat crescentine in Bologna with out mentioning the charming Trattoria Nonna Rosa within the east of town.

They serve this Bolognese staple right here with all of the basic fillings, and I shortly found why comfortable squacquerone, spicy salami, and chewy crescentine is such a successful mixture!

Trattoria Nonna Rosa – 40133 Bologna – Closed each Monday, open each Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Suggestions for Having fun with Crescentine Like a Native

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• Like several sandwich, crescentines are greatest eaten together with your fingers.
• Historically, crescentine in Bologna needs to be served heat, and when contemporary, the outside needs to be crisp and crackly.
• Whereas the savory fillings are musts, don’t be afraid to department out and pattern some candy crescentines throughout your go to.
• For the entire Bolognese expertise, mix your crescentine with some native wines or craft beers.
• Crescentines are tastiest when stuffed, however they’re additionally scrumptious on their very own if you happen to don’t need something too filling.

Remaining Ideas & Suggestions

You need to strive crescentines in Bologna no less than as soon as throughout your go to. Whether or not you’re craving a fast however satisfying snack or tucking into some sharing plates, you’ll be able to’t go fallacious with certainly one of two of those fried delights!

Sources:

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Bologna meals & wine excursions. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/bologna/