Are you thinking about planning your next trip to this little hidden gem of Southern Italy called Puglia?

If so, you should definitely start preparing yourself — and your belly — to taste some of the most incredible delicacies of your life.

The variety of Puglia food is just incredible: from vegetables to fish and meat based dishes passing through liters of incredible wine.

Puglia is a region where old traditions melt with contemporary vibes and trends, shaping a new and completely different way of combining the past with the present and, of course, the future.

Planning your next holiday to Puglia can be a little bit stressful at first: there is much to do, so much to see and so little time!!

That is why we want to guide you through this planning process by sharing some of our insider tips!

What to eat in Puglia

Being an agricultural region, Puglia offers some delicious and very healthy dishes — if you are a vegan you should not worry, here there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options for you as well.

If on the one hand Puglia and Salento are famous for the beauty of their countryside and beaches, on the other they are known all over the world for the deliciousness of their local cuisine.

Are you ready to find out about some of the best dishes from the Puglia cuisine that you should definitely not miss during your next vacations to Italy?

Handmade orecchiette

A timeless classic. No trip to Puglia is complete without having eaten one — or a dozen — dishes of handmade orecchiette pasta. Trust me when I say that you will feel in heaven!!

The traditional way of cooking orecchiette pasta is with turnip tops, however there are lots of yummy varieties. And who are you not to give them a try? Carbs galore!

Speaking of orecchiette, we also offer weekly homemade pasta cooking class At The Aia.

Parmigiana di Melanzane (Eggplant parmesan)

I know, I know: I have seen a number of restaurants around the world offering eggplant Parmesan on their menu but trust me when I say that whatever you might have tried before is way far away from the real parmigiana di melanzane you can have in Puglia.

Say hello to layers of delicious sliced fried eggplant with tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, and basil. Mmmmm!!

Polpette (meatballs)

Here comes another super classic Puglia food that you should taste over and over and over again during your next holidays to the south of Italy.

If you are not vegan nor vegetarian and if you say yes to meat, you should definitely try the famous Puglia meatballs.

Usually cooked with a delicious tomato sauce — or sugo, as we Italians call it — cooked with so much love and grandmother experience that your taste buds will feel like dancing in the moonlight.

Here At The Aia we loooooove polpette and we even include a meatball cooking class during our Salento Experience Weeks. Are you willing to give it a try?

Fava bean puree with wild chicory

This is what we call our “comfort food”. An old recipe that reminds of old times and bucolic influences.

This is a great dish if you are vegan or if you want to try something different and very filling at the same time.

Add some olive oil on top and if possible some caramelized onion rings. Delicious!

Pasticciotto

Traditional Pasticciotto Pastry From Salento

I know, I know: when there is so much delicious food around it is hard to behave and resist to temptations.

However, you are on holidays!!! In this case everything is allowed so please remember to keep some room for desert!

Pasticciotti (a traditional cream filled pastry from Lecce) represent a real institution in the Salento region.

They are great for breakfast, during tea break, after lunch, in the afternoon, or at night: every moment is a good moment to indulge yourself with a pasticciotto.

Usually filled with cream, nutella, or black cherry cream, pasticciotto represents by far a must try Puglia food during your next trip to Salento, Italy.

Where to stay in Salento

At the Aia agriturismo is located right in the heart of Salento, a few minutes’ drive from the beautiful town of Nardò and five minutes away from the Ionian Coast.

Our cozy bed and breakfast At The Aia has 7 finely furnished rooms featuring free WiFi, an outdoor pool as well as a beautiful garden where fresh fruit and vegetables we grow.

We also have a resident massage therapist and yoga classes.

We offer a variety of events and retreats that aim at helping you to reconnect with your mind, body, and soul through sustainability, yoga and wellness activities and, of course, lots of food!!

Don’t miss your chance to experience the best of Puglia’s food and culture. Make a reservation today!