Holiday Apartment Southern Italy

	A hidden paradise surrounded by the clearest water Italy has to offer, Calabria is an undiscovered region rich in powerful flavours. This idyllic land is filled with many species of trees that range from bergamot and orange and lemon, to palm, oleander, almond, chestnut, fig, olive, and pepper trees. These natural elements are used as important ingredients in the local cuisine. Calabrian cuisine is among the most flavourful and spicy food Italy has to offer, abounding in seafood and vegetables. The most commonly cooked fish are swordfish and tuna, which are mainly caught on the western coast. Bottarga, or preserved tuna roe, is a local specialty and features prominently in many traditional dishes. The abundance of sheep in the area is the source of Calabria's various lamb dishes and some of its many cheeses. Calabria is also famous for its caciocavallo, a cow's milk cheese that is good raw but even better grilled alongside some vegetables. Eggplant and peppers are cooked in sauces, pickled, grilled, or fried as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. If you are a pepper lover and are traveling through Calabria, order a peperonata, a stew of peppers and meaty local capers. Chili peppers are dominant and used in everything from cured meats to pasta. Particularly famous are Calabrian spicy sausages, or soppressata, which are excellent appetizers or sandwich fillers. Figs, chestnuts, and almonds are mainly used in desserts like Fichi Ripieni (Stuffed Figs), a specialty of Cosenza that tops dried figs with cocoa, almonds, and other nuts. These few ingredients are essential to local cooking and are the basis of many flavorful dishes. Wines Calabria is a source of excellent quality but inexpensive wines. Nearby Sicily also has some excellent wines, available in most shops locally. Seafood Simplicity is at the heart of the Calabrian approach to seafood. The delicate flavours of the sea are preserved by light seasoning and flavouring - really allowing the excellence of the seafood to speak for itself. Fish is often grilled whole or simply fried or roasted. Dried cod (Bacala) is another important seafood staple that has been around since Roman times, when there was no easy way to transport seafood inland without refrigeration. Seafood Salad is a recipe that is popular in Calabria every Christmas Eve, although it would be a nice start to any meal year round. Pork and Spices Pork is the most popular meat in the region. Historically, Calabria was one of the poorer regions of Italy, and this has led to a heritage in which every part of the pig is used. Aside from obvious uses - such as sausages and pasta sauces - the Calabrians will often spit-roast whole pigs. One thing that makes Calabrian food stand slightly apart from the rest of Italy is the heavy use of black pepper and peperoncini (a kind of chilli unique to the region that is grown principally by one local farmer). Pasta & Polenta One of the regions most famed dishes is 'homestyle' lasagne - in which the traditional lasagne sheets are replaced with layers of delicate egg noodles, interspersed with Mozarella and tiny meatballs. Typical of the Calabrian style is oricchiette con cima - a simple pasta of broccoli and greens, or spaghetti alle vongole - a spaghetti dish based on a white sauce and using the marvellous, sweet clams that populate the local bays. As well as pasta, polenta is another regional staple. One traditional favourite - Polenta Verde Calabrese is simplicity itself. Polenta, dried red pepper flakes and cheese are melted together and served with grilled sausages and crusty bread. Many dishes associated with the region are more fiery than most people would imagine from typical Italian cooking. Don't forget the wonderful desserts which Italians are world famous for! Homemade ice cream and 'Tartufo' are hard to resist... Some Local Places to Eat: A number of excellent restaurants serving Calabrian and popular italian cuisine can be found locally: 'Il Casale' is set in an ancient fortified Olive Pressing House, near Marcellinara, approx 12 mins drive from the property. 'Brace D'Oro' in Marcellinara is a traditional trattoria serving speciality meats, pasta and Calabrian local platters. Approx 7 mins drive away. 'Arcobelena' pizzeria, approx 8 mins away, in Marcellinara. Bar Guzzi in Milglierina (approx 3 mins drive - can be walked) serves pizza on various nights. Run by local English-speaking Italian friends, who will deliver upon request. Numerous other restaurants, bars, cafes and tabacchi within short waliking and driving distances of the property. Maps and details upon request.       A hidden paradise surrounded by the clearest water Italy has to offer, Calabria is an undiscovered region rich in powerful flavours. Calabrian cuisine is among the most flavourful and spicy food in Italy. read Calabrian recipes   info@italianhaven.com
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