Food and wine along the Amalfi Coast

food and wine in Amalfi

grapes

Food and wine in Amalfi

Dairy products

Fior di latte: fresh cheese resembling mozzarella, made of cow milk from the nearby Monti Lattari (Milk Mountains). Of course, true mozzarella is made from buffalo and cow milk and comes from the plains South of Salerno, towards Paestum and Battipaglia. Fior di latte has a rich creamy colour and is often found in the shape of treccia (plait).

Provola: Smoked fior di latte, can be enjoyed on its own or in parmigiana di melenzane, or even on pizzas for a rich, satisfying flavour.

Fresh caciotta, served plain or stuffed with basil or rocket leaves, are made daily. Many fresh cheeses are often served wrapped in lemon leaves and grilled. Local caseifici—dairy producers—often have a shop front open to the public, while they distribute their products to the local delicatessens (salumeria).

Vegetables: Fresh vegetables grown near Amalfi have a rich, ripe flavor that amazes our visitors. Try Corbara’s small tomatoes—so distinctively sweet! Eggplant (or aubergines) are a staple of the local cuisine.

Everyone should try the region’s classic parmigiana di melanzane, but we also think you’ll love the delicious polpettine di melanzane—eggplant patties deep fried or baked, or the involtini—deep fried slices of eggplant that are rolled and stuffed with fior di latte and basil leaves.

Eggplant is even used to make an intriguing dessert which has been enjoyed in the area since medieval times. Melenzane al cioccolato is a delicious pie made from aubergines and chocolate (deep fried aubergines, covered in dark chocolate, candied fruits and orange peel). Zucchini (or courgettes) are also found in many local dishes.

Pasta: Fresh local pasta made throughout the region is called scialatielli. It consists of thick and short strips made out of just flour and water, sometimes with the addition of parsley. Scialatielli makes a nice alternative to spaghetti or fettucine, served with seafood or other traditional Italian sauces. In Ravello, you can enjoy a taste of the medieval: here they still prepare dunderi—dumplings made according to a very old recipe

Fish and seafood: The bounty of the sea is extraordinary. Pezzogna, sarago, orata and spigola are caught locally, and served fresh. The locals love their seafood to be served all’acqua pazza—which is a light broth made with oil, garlic, parsley and pomodorino (a small tomato grown in the mountains). A typical dish of the Peninsula is totani e patate, a unique casserole of potatoes and totani (a dark member of the calamari family).

Wines: The wines of the Amalfi Coast range from good to exceptional. Try the Tramonti, Costa d'Amalfi and Furore, made from grapes grown the local terraced vineyards. Irpinia, north east of Naples, produces fine wines by the names Taurasi, Aglianico, Greco di Tufo, Fiano, Falanghina. They will be a revelation!

Desserts: The local cakes and pastries desserts are simply stunning. Try the delizia al limone, (lemon delight), the torta caprese, and baba soaked in limoncello.

::: How to reach us :::

marilou@vacationvillas.ca

Marilou Levangie & Dana Gallant
Vacation Villas & Pedal and Sea Adventures
9075 St. Margaret's Bay Road, RR#2
Hubbards, Nova Scotia • B0J 1T0
Toll Free: 1-877-777-5699 • 902-857-9319 (office)
• 902-858-2004 (fax)

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