Snack like an Italian

Please know that I am in no way giving up my lifelong quest to find the world's greatest butter cookie. That said, I may have recently found the winner at a small pasticceria in Iseo, Italy.

The "subblè" cookies (featured in the photo above), were a creation of Patsticceria Ravara and were so light and crumbly they evaporated in your mouth.  Their crust of crunchy sugar made the whole experience extra pleasurable.

I hesitate to award the cookies the title of "world's best" for one simple reason: I know only one person who liked butter cookies more than I do: Felix Flores.  So it was a bit heartbreaking not to have Felix around to offer his opinion. But I can say for certain, Felix would have adored the friendly ladies at Pasticceria Ravara and their delicious creations.

I mention these cookies as a way to open a discussion about snacking in Italy.  Of course Italy is famous for it's exceptional food from pizza to pasta, bread to wine. But I was regularly reminded how much the Italians love little treats and snacks.  So in addition to all those pasticceria cookies and pastries, here are a few of the things I grew to love, whether they were new or old favorites from my previous time in Italy.

A frozen philosophy

Gelato is more than outrageously delicious.  It's a way of life. I loved getting a copetta (tiny bowl) of creamy goodness and leisurely wandering the vie and piazze on a warm summer evening with hundreds of Italians doing the same.

Schweppes Limone

I love every brand of Italian lemon soda.  But those little glass bottles of Schweppes Limone are my favorite.  It's so refreshing and when you order them at a bar or restaurant they almost always come with ice, a rarity in Italy. I enjoyed this bottle at the impossibly chic, Wes-Craven-designed Bar Luce at La Fondazione Prada.

The essentials

Sure my hotel in Iseo had a coffee machine with coffee and tea. But it also included the staples of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, just in case you end up with a loaf of bread.

Gelèes

Fruity jelly candies are everywhere. And i haven't found any I don't like.

Cheese snacks

It's illegal in Italy to call processed cheese by a traditional cheese name.  Of course in Italy, processed cheese is frowned upon. These are 100% legally-labeled Parmigiano Reggiano!

Seriously, get the Schweppes Limone

Did I mention how much I love Schweppes Limone.  It's the perfect after-Art refreshment.  I enjoyed this bottle at the Hangar Bicocca cafe.