Foods to Eat in Italy - Venice

- Risi e Bisi -

Risi e Bisi is a rice based Primo Piatto, or starter, which is commonly found in Venetian Trattorias (as well as the surrounding areas of Vicenza and Verona). While often translated as pea risotto, it's texture is in fact a happy medium between that of a risotto and soup, and so is more watery than one might expect if thinking of risotto, instead, think more along the lines of a thick soup (or porridge/congee). 

This is traditionally eaten in the spring as that is when the first crop of peas was harvested, and was a dish reserved for royalty as it was traditionally offered to the Venetian head of state during the the San Marco festival in April.