Abruzzo is a land rich in beauty, history, gastronomic tradition. Among the typical products there are certainly cured meats. The consumption of these meat products, in particular pork, has a long history that starts from Roman civilization and reaches our days. In this article we will...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1569397317752{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Abruzzo’s most authentic taste: arrosticini Among Abruzzo’s culinary specialties, arrosticini are a must-try experience. They are typically made from castrated sheep's meat (mutton), cut in small cubical chunks of 1 cm (1/2.5 inches), and pierced by a skewer. The presence of ovine fat defines...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1567102524498{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Guide to Italian customs and etiquette: 15 things you need to know Are you planning a trip to Italy? Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, it’s important to be well prepared. And we’re not just talking about making sure you have your...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1565346959431{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] The original “Panzanella” recipe “Panzanella” is a dish of peasant origins. It is a very simple, humble dish, which doesn’t need any cooking and was consumed by farmers who were spending their whole day working in the fields. Stale bread is its main...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1565346170349{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] How to make the perfect Negroni drink Simple and balanced, it's considered to be one of the world’s most famous and popular cocktails. Created in 1919 by Count Negroni - who asked to add a touch of gin rather than soda to his americano,...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1564122484627{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] A short guide to the best Abruzzo’s wines Abruzzo is one of the most important regions for wine production, a reality made up of big and small local producers. Its distinguishing feature is the presence of a variety of native red grape vines,...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1563433362399{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] The only drink you’ll need this summer: Aperol Spritz The spritz is a typical aperitif (“aperitivo”) of the Northern Italy. There are several variants to the spritz cocktail: our favourite version is made with Aperol, with a splash of soda. Here’s the recipe!   Preparation...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1555075148087{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Driving in Italy Driving in Italy is the best way to explore its lesser known regions and beautiful towns. If you are thinking about driving or renting a car in Italy, here are some insights based on years of experience and thousands of...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1553776177221{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Breakfast in Italy Italian breakfast (“prima colazione” or simply “colazione”) usually consists of cappuccino, caffè latte (hot coffee with milk) or coffee. Here are some rules to eat breakfast like an Italian: 1. Find the neighborhood caffè. Italians love to stand at the bar...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1552398675355{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] A short guide to Italian aperitivo An aperitivo is something similar to the American happy hour, but it’s much more than that. It's a pre-meal drink meant to stimulate your appetite. It was Hippocrates, the famous ancient Greek physician, who first suggested the “vinum...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1551175609165{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Involtini di melanzane Today we cook one of our favourite dishes: involtini di melanzane, eggplant rolls with Parmesan and ricotta cheese. Simply delicious!   Ingredients: Olive oil Pepper Salt Fresh ricotta Parmigiano Raisins Onions Pecorino Eggplants   Cooking time: 15 minutes   Directions: Fry a little bit the...

Coffee is an important part of Italian culture. The day is defined by coffee rituals, which are set in stone and not always easy for outsiders to understand. Nevertheless, there are a few basic rules to follow to avoid being labelled as a tourist. Here...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1548927020951{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Bombette with pesto and gorgonzola Bombette are small rolls of thinly sliced meat wrapped around a tasty filling.  A very flavourful, rustic and intense recipe!   Ingredients: Olive oil Gorgonzola Pepper Salt Garlic Pesto Parsley Rosemary Sliced veals   Cooking time: 2 minutes   Directions for bombette with...

Who brought the confetti to the party Sulmona – You think you know confetti as this streams of shiny paper and glitter shot into the air every new years eve, right? Right. Well, as you can probably tell, confetti is an Italian word and what it...

What did you say about my nun? In Guardiagrele a dessert was created that became perhaps the most sacred in the land of the Italian peninsula- The sise di monaca; a three-humped soft sponge filled with custard and dusted with icing sugar. Professor Mario Palmerio penned...

It’s easy to find information about currency, passports, and getting a visa, but if you’re wondering what you really need to know before you travel to Italy, this post is for you. Find out how to eat in a restaurant, what to wear, and how...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1547203382759{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Stuffed bell peppers Stuffed bell peppers are a fancy way to serve peppers. They are so easy, delicious and impressive enough to serve for special occasions or special guests!   Ingredients: Bell peppers Olive oil Pepe trito Bread crumbs Black pepper Salt ...

Abruzzo pastries Extra virgin olive oil, mountain flour, pepper and anise. These are the biscuits from Abruzzo, rustic but delicate sweets at the same time, in which the typical aromas and flours of the area stand out. Today we will tell you about 9 regional specialties...

Bring on the bocconotto From Lanciano, one of the oldest towns in Italy comes a chocolate cream filled delight. Between history and legend, two stories are told about the bocconotto. The first refers to the end of the eighteenth century at the time of the importation of...

Abruzzo hilltop towns The famous hilltop towns of Abruzzo, northern Molise and southern Marche. They can be explained in many different ways and were built for many different reasons. First, let us start with the obvious and simple idea that building a town on top of the...

A Chocolate Christmas Dream From Scanno comes the the delicious mostaccioli! In Autumn, during harvest time; a typical cake from Abruzzo, the "mostacciolo" biscuit made from cooked grape must, this recipe has been handed down from ancient Rome when it was a sweet focaccia. The word...

To the Trabbocho! Traboccho- a fishing house on stilts unique to the southern coastline of Abruzzo, Italy. Anyone who has visited Italy knows that the food is more than just pasta and crushed tomatoes, seafood is a very big part of the cuisine in the beautiful peninsula. ...

The Hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio Tucked away in a mountain on the edge of nowhere in Abruzzo is a hermitage that was built into the mountainside.  San Bartolomeo is famous in the Catholic Church as a miracle worker protecting and curing convulsions, headaches, paralysis...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1541786548235{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Abruzzo stuffing Abruzzo stuffing is one of the most universal stuffing that you can put anywhere. Bell peppers, eggplants, fish: you can stuff anything you want!   Ingredients: Bell peppers Zucchini Garlic Origan Pecorino Bell peppers Salt Basil Parsley Chopped tomatoes Italian...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1540543920686{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Lentil soup What's cooking today in Abruzzo? Lentil soup! This is the real comfort food, very tasty and healthy! Ingredients: Onions Celery Carots Water Rosemary Black pepper Salt Tomato Bay leaf Olive oil Sage Italian sausage Lentils   Cooking time: 50 minutes   Directions: Wash the lentils. Add...

Do you like mountains? We have all you need… The Majella mountains, the Grand Sasso, Mount Amaro, La Bella Addormentata, Roccascalegna. The list goes on and on, you name it and when it comes to mountains Abruzzo has it. We have dedicated an article to each...

The “Gran” Daddy of Abruzzo! The Gran Sasso, the mountain with the tallest peak in all of the Apennines located west of Pescara on Abruzzo’s northwestern border with Marche and Lazio. The mountain has a storied history from housing the prison where Mussolini was held before the...

That's Agnone! In Agnone where art is king When you visit this mystical city here's what they say Where the bells ring your ear with a musical cheer That's Agnone Where the cheese is esteemed and it tastes like a dream That's Agnone Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling And you'll sing "vita bella" Copper...

It's a wine/wine situation Alright, so almost everyone thinks Tuscany produces the best wine in Italy.  Well the winemakers of Abruzzo are the quietly confident kind of people, they know their wines are the best so there is no need to boast. Montepulciano D’Abruzzo is the crown...

Abruzzo Abbondanza! What does that mean? What is Abruzzo? What is this word “Abbondanza”? Allow me to explain, and allow yourself to discover. Abruzzo is a region in central east Italy geographically and part of the south culturally.  The Abruzzo landscape is made up of majestic mountains both rocky and...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1583411675978{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Broccoli and sausage pasta This is comfort food at its best: paccheri pasta, Italian sausage and broccoli! Ingredients: Extra virgin olive oil Black pepper Salt Garlic Pepe trito (if you have it) Broccoli Italian sausage Paccheri pasta Cooking time: 15 minutes   Directions: Cut and clean...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1533135956102{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Stuffed black mussels Black mussels stuffed with bell pepper, chopped tomatoes, bread crumb, eggs, pecorino cheese, parsley, basil...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1530289644294{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Paccheri with tuna Paccheri, tuna, little fresh tomato, capers...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1530290429990{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Carpaccio Carpaccio is a fabulous appetizer to serve when entertaining guests. It looks and tastes great and it's easy to prepare. Ingredients: Olive oil Lemon juice Pepper Salt Mushrooms Parmigiano reggiano Sliced veal   Cooking time: 30 minutes   Directions: Thinly slice the fresh pore mushrooms, then...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1527259588606{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Soffritto Soffritto is the foundation of every successful sauce! Ingredients: Celery Onions Carrots Extra virgin olive oil   Cooking time: 15-20 minutes   Directions: Take the three vegetables (celery, onion, carrots), chop them really finely. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and gently fry the celery,...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1526042098487{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Aglio, olio and pepe trito Something fast and easy to cook: aglio, olio & pepe trito. It takes 2 minutes to do it! Ingredients: Spaghetti Extra virgin olive oil Sault Garlic Pepe trito   Cooking time: 12 minutes   Directions: Bring a large pot of lightly salted...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1524827411784{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Straccetti with rucola and parmigiano Today we’re gonna cook straccetti with rucola and parmigiano. A traditional, very easy and quick italian recipe! Ingredients: Tomatoes Parmigiano reggiano Pepper Salt Garlic Flour Rucola Balsamic vinegar Olive oil Sliced veal   Cooking time: 20 seconds   Directions: Cut the fresh...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1522410025153{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Saffron Risotto Recipe Today we’re gonna cook risotto alla milanese, a traditional, colourful saffron risotto from Lombardy but with an Abruzzo twist. We're gonna use extra virgin olive oil and pecorino! Ingredients: Vegetable broth Salt Parsley Saffron Carnaroli rice Onions Bay...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1521807052485{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1521807432989{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"] Stuffed Artichokes Recipe Today we're gonna prepare stuffed artichokes. Basically it's an artichoke soup with cacio e ovo stuffing based with bread and eggs. Ingredients: Fresh artichockes Extra virgin olive oil Garlic Pecorino Salt Black pepper Parsley Basil Bread crumbs Parmigiano Reggiano ...

CARDI FRITTI RECIPE Called "cardi" in Italian, cardoons are a thistlelike vegetable which is used in European countries, and is especially popular in the region of Abruzzo, Italy. It is, however, sadly neglected by most Americans, although they do grow wild in America. Cooked cardoons are...

Cavatelli alla ventricina recipe Ventricina is a distinct salami made in a variety of ways all over Abruzzo. The main ingredients are always nice cuts of pork meat and fat, dried red peppers and fennel seeds. The flavour can be sweet or spicy, and some ventricina...

Potato risotto alla vastese recipe This is a quick rice dish that the grandmothers of Vasto have passed down to us. Homemade tomato sauce makes it even tastier.   Ingredients for 4 70g pancetta (unsmoked bacon) diced ½ of a medium onion chopped 2 sticks celery chopped 4...

Lentil Chestnut Soup Recipe There are several small mountain towns in Abruzzo where lentils are a main staple and many families grow them in the garden. Lentils are harvested by hand, impurities are picked out by hand, and then they are stored in cloth sacks. Santo...

Roasted Artichoke Recipe Try to buy small artichokes that are fairly uniform in size so they will roast evenly. If possible buy the ones with larger stems; they are good eating. Use a roasting pan that is flat on the bottom and just large enough to...

Polpette Cacio e Uova Recipe “Cace e Ove” or Cacio e Uova is a very popular dish all over the province of Chieti. As often is the case with Abruzzo cuisine, it's a dish that was created using leftovers and low-cost ingredients. In the past meat...

Cavatelli recipe In some parts of Italy this pasta is also known as gnocchetti or seashells. The rolling and forming of the pasta is not done for aesthetic reasons. It is practical in that the ridges and/or small pockets in the cavatelli help to pick up...