Tongue in Tomato Sauce

Tongue in Tomato Sauce, or 'Lingua in Umido', is a traditional Italian comfort food where beef or veal tongue is slow-simmered until tender in a rich tomato-based sauce with aromatic vegetables like onion, carrot, and celery. It is a classic example of 'cucina povera' (peasant cooking), transforming a humble, often overlooked cut into a flavorful and satisfying main course, popular in regions like Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont.

🍳 View the full Tongue in Tomato Sauce recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in protein and healthy fats, with virtually no carbohydrates from the sauce itself. It is an excellent source of iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and niacin. A typical serving (about 150g of meat with sauce) provides roughly 350-450 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	310 kcal
Protein	22 g
Carbs	12 g
Fat	19 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	6 g
Sodium	580 mg
Iron	4.5 mg
Zinc	6.2 mg
Vitamin B12	12 µg
Vitamin B6	0.5 mg
Potassium	420 mg
Phosphorus	280 mg
Niacin (B3)	8.5 mg
Selenium	28 µg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it represents the Italian philosophy of 'nose-to-tail' eating, valuing every part of the animal to minimize waste. Nutritionally, the slow cooking process helps break down the tongue's tough connective tissues, making its rich nutrients more easily digestible while the tomato sauce adds lycopene, an antioxidant.