Discovering the typical products of Abruzzo

Abruzzo, our beloved region where our sea-view vacation homes are located, is known for its beautiful mountainous landscapes, beaches on the Adriatic coast and rich gastronomic culture. Among its culinary treasures are typical Abruzzo products, a wide range of local specialties that reflect the variety and richness of the Abruzzo region.

Among Abruzzo’s best-known typical products are cheeses, such as pecorino d’Abruzzo, caciofiore aquilano, caciocavallo abruzzese, and seasoned sheep’s ricotta. Pecorino d’Abruzzo is a hard or semi-hard cheese made from sheep’s milk and animal rennet with an intense and aromatic flavor. Aquila caciofiore is a soft sheep’s milk cheese with a heady aroma and hints of artichoke. Caciocavallo Abruzzese, on the other hand, is a stringy cheese made from cow’s milk with a sweet, enveloping flavor. Finally, aged sheep ricotta is a much sought-after specialty, especially for its use in cooking.

Another typical product that cannot be missed on the table is pasta. Among the most popular Abruzzi formats are: the spaghetti alla chitarra, which take the form of a square noodle made from a dough of flour and eggs; the macaroni alla molinara (or macaroni alla mugnaia), of irregular shape and length, prepared from water, semolina and flour; and the sagne, which are nothing more than strips of pasta made from durum wheat semolina and wheat flour.

Meat is another Abruzzi specialty of great importance. Sheep meat takes center stage. From cace e ove lamb (cooked in a pan and enriched with a delicious cheese and egg sauce) to arrosticini (skewers of mutton or mutton), from coatto (overcooked stew made from mutton) to pecora alla callara (which takes many hours to prepare and cook), you are spoiled for choice. Also not to be forgotten are the cured meats, including Campotosto mortadella, L’Aquila salami and fegatazzo (made from pork liver, jowl, spleen and lung).

Abruzzo cuisine is famous for its seafood as well. Among the most well-known fish dishes are: the brodetto vastese style, “lu vrudatte” as it is called in dialect, a delicious soup whose preparation involves the use of at least 11 different types of fish; and the Abruzzi-style codfish, an ancient recipe made with cod fillets (left to rest in salt for at least 3 weeks), onions, tomatoes and potatoes.

In addition, the region is famous for producing high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Abruzzo oil is produced mainly from the Leccino, Frantoio and Dritta olive varieties and is characterized by its fruity flavor and deep green color.

Among the typical products of Abruzzo sweets, alongside the pizzelle (called neole or ferratelle in other places in Abruzzo), a sweet made of only five ingredients (flour, egg, sugar, extra virgin olive oil and grated lemon peel), and to the bocconotti, the tasty shortbread treats filled with a delicious dark chocolate and almond filling, there are: the nevola of Ortona, distinguished by a crumbly cone-shaped rolled wafer made with cooked must; the parrozzo, a soft and firm cake made of almonds and semolina, covered with dark chocolate; and the sassi of Abruzzo, almonds wrapped in a shell of caramelized sugar and cocoa.

In addition to food products, the region is also renowned for its wines, including Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a full-bodied and intensely flavored red wine, while Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is a fresh and aromatic white wine.

In conclusion, typical Abruzzo products represent true Italian culinary excellence. The variety of typical Abruzzo products reflects the vastness of Abruzzo’s territory and the great attention that Abruzzo cuisine pays to the quality of ingredients. If you are lucky enough to visit Abruzzo, it is worth trying at least some of these typical products, which are sure to leave a great impression!

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