They say that southern Italy has the best of the best of the country's culture. From their social customs to how they dress, the distinctly Italian way of life that most people outside of the country know is from this area. Of course, this also includes food! Italian cuisine is regarded as one of the best in the world and a huge part of it is in the southern regions of the country. Not the least of which is Puglia, known as 'Italy's boot.' In this paradisiacal destination, you'll get to try a few local delicacies that will truly impact your taste buds!
Panzerotti
You're probably familiar with the calzone, right? The Neapolitan snack that's easy to eat yet so rich and flavorful? Well, here in Puglia, they have their own version called 'Panzerotti.' This dough turnover of a treat is stuffed with as much tomato sauce and mozzarella as one huge family-sized pizza, all intact in a soft and chewy bread pack. Another variation comes with ham as well, packing a meatier punch. The moment you split one up in half, you can see the overflow of sauce and cheese just ooze out, likely making your mouth water even more.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
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Focaccia
As far as
Italian comfort food and snacks are concerned, pizza is probably at the top of the food chain. Practically all of Italy makes it and provides their own version of the classic pie. The one from Puglia, however, is a little different. Called the 'Focaccia,' this Apulian street food mainstay is a lot thicker than your standard pizza. It's not even as sauced up and topped with all sorts of ingredients as well. Normal focaccia can simply be made with cherry tomatoes and other vegetables and you're done. But make no mistake, the taste is just as flavorful!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Friselle
A typical
New York treat, especially during breakfast, is a bagel and cream cheese. People mainly just slice the bagel in half and spread the cream cheese on each surface. Light yet rich, it's far from what many would expect Italian food to be. Not unless you've tasted 'Friselle' before. Just like how New Yorkers eat bagels, friselle is made up of two slices of
taralli, but this time, instead of cream cheese, it's topped with minced tomatoes, garlic, and salt. It's sort of like a mini pizza of sorts without the cheese and meat. How's that for a flavorful and hearty alternative?
Source: Flickr.com/ Larry
Orecchiette Con Le Cime Di Rapa
Out of the many
types of pasta to choose from, Puglia picked the Orecchiette to be their main local dish. Though this may seem random, if you've been to Puglia, particularly to
Ostuni, you'll understand why it makes perfect sense. Of course, simply cooking Orecchiette pasta isn't enough, so in this region, they cook it with vegetables, tomato sauce or olive oil, and some soy sauce for added seasoning. The result? A fulfilling helping or Orecchiette Con Le Cime Di Rapa! Go to many places to eat in this area and you'll find that this particular dish is a menu mainstay!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Caciocavallo
As far as cheese is concerned, it's usually the French types or
the Swiss kinds that the world has come to know and love. But here in Puglia, there's one that's become a notable delicacy worth trying out: Caciocavallo. When you first look at it, it almost looks like it's not cheese at all. With how it's shaped and the way it's hung, you can easily mistake it as a milk-filled water balloon or something of the sort. But in reality, all of it is Caciocavallo cheese. And its gentle saltiness will take your taste buds on a tailspin like no other!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Carmelo Speltino
Pettole
Who says donuts only have to be sweet? Not the Apulians, that's for sure! In this beautiful southern region, the savory Pettole snack is extremely popular. Made out of fried dough, they're sprinkled with salt, or topped with grated cheese, or even dipped in tomato sauce. Every bite is savory heaven, offering the soft sensation of a doughnut with the rich flavors of traditional Italian cuisine. Of course, as you might expect, it also has a sweet version. Served every Christmas or any other
Italian holiday, it's sprinkled with sugar and paired with vincotto.
Source: Flickr.com/ Florixc
Pasticciotto
As far as Apulian desserts are concerned, Pasticciotto is the best of them all. A common treat in Lecce, it's a delectable tart often filled with cream and sour cherry. The lightness of the former paired with the tarty sensation of the latter makes for a light yet fruity dessert that's not too sweet. The touch of sour gives it a zesty edge, dialing down the saccharine taste that many find unappealing from other Italian treats. However, over the years, many bakers and desert-makers have changed up the recipe, filling the Pasticciotto tart with other ingredients that are just as sweet.
Source: Flickr.com/ Florixc.
The beautiful southern region of Puglia is part of what makes Italian cuisine one of the best in the world. The place offers exciting dishes, delicacies, and desserts that you won't find anywhere else. And each is as delicious as the next!
