Pizzoccheri Is the Winter Olympics’ Secret Comfort Food

While the world’s attention is on the competitions in Milan and Cortina, a hidden culinary star is quietly stealing the show in the Italian Alps: pizzoccheri.

This hearty buckwheat pasta dish, native to the Valtellina Valley—which includes Olympic host cities Livigno and Bormio—is delighting athletes and spectators alike.

Made with simple ingredients like cabbage, potatoes, a blend of three local cheeses (formaggio casera, montegrotto, and formaggio grana), butter, and sage, pizzoccheri is the ultimate winter comfort food.

Chef Nenad Vukicevic and local Marika Gurini describe it as “the flag” of the region, a source of local pride and tradition.

High in calories and rich in flavor, it’s the perfect fuel for Olympians after competition and a warming reward for fans braving the cold.

As the Games bring global attention to northern Italy, pizzoccheri is finally getting its moment in the spotlight.