Abruzzo’s “Forte e Gentile”
Abruzzo has been defined by the 20th century Italian poet, Gabriele d’Annunzio as “strong and gentle”. It is absolutely not true that the cooking of this beautiful region is poorer than that in other parts of Italy. Indeed, historically, limited economic resources have ensured that the cooks of Abruzzo have concentrated all their skills and passion on perfecting superb gastronomic specialties. Many of the best chefs in Italy come from families of cooks in this region. Secrets have been passed down through generations.
The regions of Abruzzo and Molise (used to be called Abruzzi) consist of 60% mountains, 30% hills and the remaining 10% low-land coastal. Therefore, the cooking style is unique by virtue of its geographical diversity, and not least because of the attachment of its people to their land and its natural resources. This was once a land of shepherds and their flocks, with a rich tradition of lamb cooked many different ways, of cheeses ----- which find poor imitations all over the country, of hams and sausages, and all other products of pork. The simplicity and the use of genuine ingredients and ancestral recipes take you on a culinary journey to satisfy any pallet.
Let us not forget that Saint Francesco Caracciolo, patron saint of cooks, founded the world’s first cooking school at the close of the 16th century. Villa Santa Maria, a small village in the Sangro River Valley, has been training chefs who have brought honor to Italian cooking throughout the world.
Abruzzo is the paradise of grocery shopping. Not only are the stores and markets brimming with tempting local products, but the displays artfully entice the pallet and imagination, from the tinest fruit market to the most chic food boutique. Each town in Abruzzoseems to specialize in their own signature product: in Agnone cheese and porchetta; Carunchio is known for the ventricina; Lanciano prides itself for the sumptuous bocconotti and Sulmona for the famous almond confetti. You will be enticed by the variety of products sold at the farms such as the noted Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines, virgin olive oil, jams and honeys, cheese and salami, along with local artisan products. You will be unable to return home empty-handed.
During our tours, we like to take you to the local Olive oil maker, or an artisan cosmetic lab and show you the Jewels of Abruzzo. This is our way to make your vacation sustainable. Abruzzo needs more visibility for its beauty and our job is to show it to you.
