This area of Italy is found just over the road from Rome heading east till you hit the Apennine mountain range. Agriculture is the main source of income for this region but fishing is also well developed along it’s coastline with Pescara, Abruzzo’s capital, harbouring one of Italy’s prime fishing fleets. The ancient name of the province of Chieti was Itali from which Italia derives so you could say the original Italians were from Abruzzo!
The best way to enjoy the cuisine of Abruzzo (other than our regional dinners of course!) is to visit villages and towns on their special Feast days, of which there are many, celebrating Christian saints as well as ancient pagan feast days. These Sagre and Feste often celebrate one ingredient such as truffles, arrosticini ( tiny mutton kebabs grilled on coals and ordered by the hundred by hungry families) or mantis shrimp aka ‘mouth rippers’ in local dialect. The family carnival atmosphere with people eating and drinking at the long outdoor tables enjoying live music, lots of stalls and fun fairs for the kids is truly memorable. Ask to see the book of Sagre’s next time you are in the Salumeria.
Uncle Pinu would spend the month of July in Pescara every year with various members of his family, including us of course, travelling from all points to spend a few days with him. The Caponcino Lido where we do our beach thing serves the most fantastic lunch with a dozen salads and vegetable dishes, 5 or 6 seafood, meat and chicken dishes, a few pasta dishes and lots of fresh seasonal fruit, all just cooked and served daily at 12.45. Walk the line and have anything you desire. It’s difficult to imagine a more pleasant way to spend a few hours on the beach.
We would like to offer a taste of some of the typical ingredients and dishes of the region. Enjoy.
Gip and John Dammone
See the review by Absolute Leeds of these very special Regional Evenings.
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