When people think about studying abroad while in college, the first things that come to mind are travel, fun, and – most importantly – food, especially in Italy. The pasta, pizza, gelato, and wine are staples of an amazing study abroad experience, and are one of the best parts of being in Florence
After the first week of eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner out, it starts to add up – especially as a college student. It’s not possible to spend that much money solely on food for an entire three-and-a-half-month semester. Then reality hits: you have to cook your own food.
It might sound scary at first. Shopping and cooking while in a foreign country, in an unfamiliar apartment, and without a majority of tools is a daunting task. But, there are many ways to easily make delicious food while on a student’s budget. Here you’ll find the best tips and tricks to become a “pro” student chef in Florence.
Grocery Shopping
When you first arrive in Florence, one of the first things you won’t see are classic US grocery stores. There’s no Trader Joe’s, Giant, or Target anywhere in Europe, which can be unfamiliar at first. Instead, you’ll find brands like Conad, Carefour, and Pam in the city center, as well as Coop further outside. The only way to conquer that fear is to face it head on; here’s some advice on how to have a positive first experience in an Italian grocery store.
- Don’t go alone: It will feel overwhelming at first, so having moral support is always a great idea.
- Look up common Italian words and products beforehand: A lot of grocery stores in Florence don’t have phone service, so you won’t be able to use your phone to translate while inside. Having an idea of what foods you’re looking for can help solve that issue – one of the ways to do that is with a list.
- Pick a slower time: Most locals shop in the late morning and early evening, so make sure to avoid those times at first. The stores are very small, so going at a calm time allows you to take your time and get your bearings.
- Follow the flow of the store: The smaller grocery stores follow a format that goes in a very specific order, for example produce to dairy to meat to dry goods. It’s very difficult to go backwards once you’ve gone through the store, so make sure to organize your shopping with that in mind.
- Weigh your produce before checkout: This is a big mistake most people make in the beginning. After selecting your produce, make sure to use a bag, put it on the scale, select the correct number corresponding with your item, print the sticker, and put it on the bag.
Although grocery shopping is intimidating at first, after a couple visits it gets much easier. With these tips, you’ll be a pro shopper in no time. Once you shop for your groceries, the next step is actually cooking in your apartment.
Cooking in Your Apartment
Study abroad apartments in Florence are notoriously tiny, especially the kitchen. Usually two people maximum can fit at one time, which makes cooking with multiple roommates very difficult. The kitchens are also not very modern – you only have basic utensils, a few pots and pans, maybe one knife, and, more often than not, no dishwasher. The stove and oven are definitely not top-of-the-line either. All of these factors combined make for a difficult but definitely doable, cooking situation. Here are some tips on how to ease the cooking process and maximize what you have.
- Buy more kitchen items: Your apartment will be lacking some basic cooking materials, so taking a quick trip to a home goods store like Satur is a smart choice. Pick up some storage containers for leftovers, extra utensils, and maybe another pot, all depending on space.
- Keep things simple: Since you’re only in Florence for three-and-a-half-months, there’s no need to stock up on a million spices and condiments you won’t finish. Split basic shareable ingredients with your roommates, and keep your meals to a couple of affordable, healthy ingredients that can be reused.
- Meal prep: During the week, you will be busy with class and having fun, so there is very limited time to cook multiple meals throughout the day. At the beginning of the week, try making multiple servings of one dish, like Greek bowls, you can store in containers and heat up when needed. This is also convenient because small kitchen = no cooking space, so you won’t have to worry about that.
- Embrace one-pot meals: Because you will have limited appliances and space, making meals that require minimal dishes make clean-up easier, as well as make more room for your other roommates to cook. Pasta and sheet-pan dinners will become your best friend.
- Stay local: You’re living in Italy – take advantage of the fresh, high-quality ingredients that are local to your area. Try switching out butter for olive oil, and research what produce is in season during your time abroad. If you can, you can even shop at local markets where you can find quality ingredients at a fair price.
Once you get into a routine, cooking in your Florence apartment will be a breeze. Just make sure to manage your time, plan ahead, and keep things simple, yet delicious. We even put together an easy Italian meal that can be prepared ahead using the best Conad has to offer while staying within a student’s budget.
After getting a handle on shopping and cooking in Italy, it becomes a fun part of your week. Getting to immerse yourself in local cooking culture is an amazing opportunity to learn new recipes and cooking techniques to try out. While going out to eat in Florence is amazing, experiencing how Italians eat in their day-to-day life is the best addition to your study abroad experience. Take advantage of it and remember, it always works out!
Fresh Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Zucchini – Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 2 packages of fresh pasta – €3
- 1 package of chicken breasts – €8
- 2 zucchini – €1.50
- 3 cloves of garlic – €1
- 1 package of fresh basil – €3
- 1 lemon – €0.50
- About 4 tbsp Olive oil – €0.20
- About 1/2 cup white wine – €1
- 1 block of parmesan cheese – €7
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste – €0.20
Total cost: €25.40 – €6.35 per serving
Steps – total active cooking time of 25-30 minutes:
- Roast the zucchini – Slice zucchini into half-moons, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Roast in the oven at ~200°C for 20–25 minutes until golden.
- Cook the chicken – Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook in a pan over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil for 3–4 minutes without stirring until a golden crust forms, then flip and cook another 2–3 minutes on the other side. Once browned, deglaze the pan with white wine and let it cook down for 2–3 minutes until mostly absorbed and the chicken is cooked through.
- Make the pesto – Finely chop the basil and garlic by hand with a knife. Combine in a bowl with olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well – the texture will be chunkier and more rustic than blender pesto.
- Cook the pasta – Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the fresh pasta according to the package (usually just 2–3 minutes).
- Bring it together – Add the drained pasta to the bowl with the chicken and roasted zucchini. Spoon the pesto over the top and toss everything together.
- Finish – Grate fresh parmesan generously over each plate and serve immediately. Enjoy with the rest of the white wine! Store leftovers in the fridge.
Make sure to make the most of your time abroad by cooking happy, healthy meals like an Italian, just like we did with this recipe!
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By: (Terptographers: Giana Colonna, Isabella DeCrescenzo, Kristen Mulvihill) and Macaria Pelofsky