Foods of Puglia
Home to some of the best food and wine in the Mediterranean
Golden rays, sapphire waves and emerald vegetation - Puglia is a symphony of colors that come together in perfect harmony throughout the region. From the wine and olives, to seafood and pasta, there’s plenty to dive into.
For some of you, eating is just a necessity to fuel you through the hustle of the day. For Italians, it’s one of the seven wonders of the world!
Whether you’re just a foodie trying to learn more about Pugliese cuisine, or you’re about to embark on your first journey to Italy, here is a mini crash course in the culinary traditions of Puglia.
Liquid Green Gold: Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The buttery difference in every drop
The landscape can change pretty quickly if you drive across Puglia, but one thing remains constant, the olive trees. Whether they’re perched on ragged cliffs, reaching for the sun, or ordered in neat lines that extend for miles, the ‘green gold’ they gift us is as precious as actual gold. It’s so ubiquitous in Pugliese cuisine that nonnas don’t even write it down in recipes - it’s a given there’s gonna be olive oil!
Puglia is Italy’s leader in olive oil production, making up 40% of the nation’s production.
Known for its anti-inflammatory properties and reducing cardiovascular diseases, it is the base of the Mediterranean diet. It is used in almost every recipe, from dips and sauces to even dessert - lemon olive oil cake anyone?
It is estimated that 50 varieties of olives grow in the heal of the boot, making up about 60 million trees. When looking at the olive orchards of Puglia, you’re looking at so much more than just olive oil production, these trees represent the generational lifeblood of a region!
On your vacation to Puglia, an olive oil tasting and a visit to an olive mill is a must! Here At the Aia, we make our own olive oil and are always happy to show our guests the whole process, while strolling through the olive grove surrounding the agriturismo.
The Cheeses of Puglia
Did you know that Italy is home to the largest variety of cheeses in the world? Take that, France!
With 2500 varieties, and 500 of them being commercially available, there’s a stinky wheel for everyone.
Whether you’re planning a picnic or your first Aperitivo, we invite you to get adventurous at the local farm stand.
Here are just 3 kinds of cheese to keep an eye out for in Puglia:
1. RICOTTA FORTE: A creamy, spreadable sheep’s milk cheese with an intense spicy flavor. It can be sprinkled on your pasta dish or spread on some fresh bread with your desired garnish. Unlike fresh ricotta, ricotta forte stays edible for a longer time.
2. BURRATA: The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream. It can also be made with buffalo’s milk which gives it a stronger taste. This cheese pairs well with just about anything, from crostini to peaches and basil in a salad.
3. CACIOCAVALLO: This rare Italian cheese is made from milk produced by Podolica cows that are fed a generous helping of herbs, resulting in herb-rich flavored milk that creates a rich cheese that needs years to ripen.
Puglia is one of the biggest producers of rosé in Italy.
Wines of Puglia
Ocean breezes and fertile soils
In 2013, American Magazine ‘Wine Enthusiast’ included Puglia in its list of top world wine destinations. With almost 110,000 hectares of vineyards here, this dry and sunny region is home to some of the best values in Italian wine. If you want fruit-forward, ripe, red wine for a good price, look no further. Puglia is surrounded by water on three sides allowing cool breezes off the Mediterranean to moderate vineyard temperatures.
The 3 Most Widely Available wines in Puglia:
Negroamaro - which means “black bitter” in Italian, dry, big reds with dark plum notes
Primitivo -the same as California Zinfandel, full-bodied and dark fruit notes
Nero di Troia - produces full-bodied wines, highly tannic and with a firm acidic vein.
Puglia is one of the Italian regions that is currently experiencing, more than any others, a wine-making revolution. With plenty of white, rosé and reds to go around, we always recommend a wine tasting during your holiday to Puglia and are happy to assist you in finding the perfect tasting for your palette.
Pastas of Puglia
Pasta, of course, takes center-stage at any meal here in Italy and Puglia is no different.
What makes this region different, however, is the abundance of egg-free pasta, which will delight vegans (like many other Pugliese recipes).
But hey, if you look close enough, you’ll notice the traditional recipes aren’t that different from today’s most trendy healthy dishes.
Here’s some pasta vocab to give you a little taste of Puglia:
Orecchiette is a holy gastronomic symbol of Puglia. They require only three ingredients: hard wheat flour, water and salt.
Cavatelli is considered to be one of the oldest pasta types. Cavatelli have an elongated shape with a hollow cavity made by pressing one’s fingers into small pieces of pasta. But, the size of this pasta varies from region to region.
Ciceri e tria is a dish where the pasta is partly fried and partly boiled then combined with chickpeas cooked with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, onion and herbs. Light and perfect for the plant-based food lovers.
Seafood - Catch of the day!
Coastlines of Fishing Towns
The Coast of Puglia is the longest in Italy and is a collection of half a dozen fishing towns. Every season offers a variety of fish that is used in Pugliese kitchens. The most common type of fish used in Pugliese cuisine are the species of ‘Pesce Azzurro’: oily fish - among which there are:
anchovy (acciuga or alice)
tuna (tonno)
sardine (sardina)
salmon (salmone)
swordfish (pesce spada)
yellowtail (ricciola)
mackerel (sgombro)
bonito (palamita)
The fishermen find their bountiful treasures present in the two seas: the Adriatic and Ionian. In this region, it is common for anchovies to be preserved in extra virgin olive oil and vinegar.
They can be served with locally made fresh bread, tossed in a pasta, or added as a garnish to any dish! Head to the local market where you can easily find some fresh catch of the day for your next meal.
We have barely scratched the surface on the foods of Puglia, but hopefully you’ve learned some new vocabulary for your next Italian vacation. We believe that a trip here may very well be a crash course in living well.
We don’t want to sound too cliche, but even a meal at home here in Puglia is really an experience, which is why we recommend you book a cooking class during your stay.
The laid-back vibe and the magnificent setting complete the picture, and that’s why we started our business here. We love welcoming people year after year and know how life-changing this land can be, even if your visit is short.
