Polenta e Riso

Polenta and risotto rice are grown in the North of Italy where the melting snow from the mountains fills small canals, helping the irrigation of farm land. Polenta is made from maize or Granoturco, dried and ground into a flour, which is then cooked with water and the addition of cheese. Risotto rice, being round and fat, can absorb moisture and swell up to double its size exuding creamy starch and still remain al dente.