Page 483 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

INTRODUCING SOUTHERN IT AL Y  481

pastries and puddings, such as
the sinfully rich Sicilian cassata.

Other Regions
Mountainous Abruzzo and
Molise are good sheep-rearing
territory, so lamb is a speciality
here, as is the pasta (macche roni
alla chitarra). Food in Calabria
and Basilicata is strong on
spices, especially chilli peppers,
which are considered a cure-all.
Sardinia bakes wafer-thin
unleavened bread – pane
Tresses of vine-ripened tomatoes hanging on a southern market stall carasau (even known by its local
name outside Sardinia). Honey,
vegetables, especially figs and forests is exceptional. Fish is wild boar ham and thrushes are
quinces, are abundant. excellent, especially sardines, popular, as is torrone, a delicious
A bounty of fish and shellfish tuna, anchovies and swordfish. almond nougat.
is caught along the 400 km Vegetables are plump and
(250 mile) coastline. As well as delicious and aubergines ON THE MENU
mozzarella, other good (eggplants) are a firm favourite.
cheeses include ricotta, goat’s Sheep’s milk ricotta cheese Arancini Sicilian rice balls,
and smoked cheeses. features in many delicious usually stuffed with a meat,
cheese or vegetable filling.
Caciocavallo Spun cow’s milk
Sicily cheese, especially good from
The island’s long list of Avellino in Campania.
invasions is reflected in its Insalata caprese Salad from
varied cuisine. Greek colonists Campania with mozzarella,
in the 8th century BC were tomato, basil, olives and oregano.
amazed at the fertility of the Maccheroni di fuoco Pasta
volcanic soil. Rice was dish from Basilicata with large
introduced to the area by the quantities of garlic and chilli.
Arabs, while the influence of Seadas A kind of doughnut
North African cuisine is shown from Sardinia, fried and covered
in cuscus (couscous) and other with honey.
Arab flavours that appear in Soppressata A spicy, dry-cured
sweet and spicy dishes. salami from Calabria.
The lamb and pork raised in Newly harvested olives, ready to be
mountain pastures and oak pressed into olive oil

Pizza napoletana alla marinara Pesce spada In Campania, Sfogliatella Paper-thin layers
This thin-crusted pizza is topped Puglia, Calabria and Sicily, of pastry ooze with butter,
simply with tomato, garlic, swordfish steak is grilled with sugar, cinnamon, orange peel
oregano, basil and anchovies. lemon and oregano. and ricotta.

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