In north Italy, the climate can range from cool to very cold in winter.
Signature dishes there reflect the richness of this dairy-producing, sometimes mountainous region.
White truffles with eggs, risotto cooked with delicate broth, creamy polenta rich with butter, classic bean soup, and bollito misto, mixed boiled meats served with piquant green and warm red sauces.
Potatoes are also used a lot and they are the main ingredients of a famous recipe: pizzoccheri.
The cuisine tends to be lightly prepared and simple.