love letter to cotoletta

Milan's most famous lady, her scandals, and her slutti twin sister

This love letter to cotoletta all began with a very serious lunch that raised an equally serious question: “what’s in the bag?”

You’d think this love letter would stay pure and simple. Alas, it is not. Like the best history, it’s full of scandal. Welcome to the cotoletta festa!

Cotoletta alla milanese (or costoletta alla milanese) is famous worldwide for its deliciousness and decadence. A bigger-than-your-plate veal cutlet, bone-in and all, carefully fried to perfection. There are spin-offs of this Regina, far and wide. The Viennese attempted to steal the cotoletta’s crown by claiming the schnitzel started its reign. But, the costoletta alla milanese must have the bone in, and - by must - I mean by order of the Comune of Milano, who placed a De.CO (denominazione comunale d’origine) on the dish.

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LANGUAGE BREAK! Costoletta derives from costola or rib. That’s why the costoletta alla milanese refers to the bone-in veal cutlet specifically and is protected with the De.CO. ‘Cotoletta’ is general and refers to just a cutlet.

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No matter who inspired or - really - who conspired to create the incredible cotoletta alla milanese, it stands as one of the most famous Italian dishes, representing quite a lavish history.

Picture it: It’s September 17th, 1134 and you’re a monk.