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The Vitel tonné — Torino
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Typical Dishes 📍 Torino, Italy 214 views

The Vitel tonné

The appetizer, which cannot be missed on the table of a good Piedmontese and which a tourist visiting Turin cannot possibly miss, was probably born in the eighteenth century in the Cuneo countryside, and at first there was not even a shadow of tuna, since the fish would not arriv...

Photo · Janet W.

The Vitel tonné — Torino, Italy.

Location
Torino
Type
Typical Dishes
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About The Vitel tonné

The Vitel tonné - Torino | Secret World Trip Planner

The appetizer, which cannot be missed on the table of a good Piedmontese and which a tourist visiting Turin cannot possibly miss, was probably born in the eighteenth century in the Cuneo countryside, and at first there was not even a shadow of tuna, since the fish would not arrive in Piedmont until the following century. In fact, it seems that the name is a mispronunciation of the French word "tanné," meaning "tanned."The Vitel tonné dish consists of very thin slices of veal that are boiled for a long time to give it the right tenderness and is topped with a sauce made by mixing and blending tuna, mayonnaise, capers and anchovies. The whole must be enjoyed cold.The recipe over time has undergone modifications and revisions, and around how it is prepared there are in fact real debates. On the most suitable cut of meat and how it should be cooked. On the sauce: do you need raw or cooked eggs? Does one put mayonnaise on it? What is certain is that it should be prepared with care.

The Vitel tonné - Torino | Secret World Trip Planner
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Frequently Asked Questions

Vitel tonné is a classic Piedmontese appetizer consisting of thin slices of boiled veal topped with a sauce made from tuna, mayonnaise, capers, and anchovies, served cold. The dish likely originated in the eighteenth century in the Cuneo countryside, and its name is believed to be a mispronunciation of the French word 'tanné' meaning 'tanned,' despite containing no tuna in its original version.
The name Vitel tonné is actually a mispronunciation of the French word 'tanné,' which means 'tanned,' rather than a reference to tuna fish. Tuna didn't arrive in Piedmont until the nineteenth century, well after the dish was created in the eighteenth century, so the original version contained no fish at all.
Vitel tonné is made by boiling very thin slices of veal for a long time to achieve the right tenderness, then topping it with a carefully prepared sauce combining tuna, mayonnaise, capers, and anchovies. The dish must be enjoyed cold and requires careful preparation, though the exact recipe has undergone many modifications over time.
There is no single standard recipe for Vitel tonné, as the preparation has undergone many modifications and revisions over the centuries, with real debates surrounding the proper technique. Key points of disagreement include the most suitable cut of meat, cooking method, whether to use raw or cooked eggs in the sauce, and the exact ingredients, though what's certain is that it should be prepared with great care.
Vitel tonné is an essential appetizer that represents authentic Piedmontese cuisine and is considered a must-try dish for any visitor to Turin and the Piedmont region. As a historic dish dating back to the eighteenth century and deeply rooted in local culinary tradition, it offers a genuine taste of the region's gastronomic heritage.

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