For all the foodies, the Cuisine of Le Marche is Special
Food lovers, you’ll be in heaven when you visit Le Marche, a region located in central Italy, with long coasts and high mountains. Known for its delicious and diverse cuisine, Le Marche offers a variety of traditional and modern dishes that are sure to please any palate.
One of the most popular dishes in Le Marche is “vincisgrassi,” a type of lasagna made with rich red meat sauce, but no bechamel – instead, it gets its moisture from the fattier sauce content of goose, duck and pork, (as opposed to a more traditional beef based ragu). This dish is said to have originated in the town of Osimo, where local farmers had better access to fowl than to beef! It’s a ‘must-try’ for any food lover visiting the region. Another traditional dish is “brodetto,” a seafood stew made with fish and shellfish from the Adriatic.
Le Marche is also known for its cured meats, such as prosciutto crudo and a soft, local salami called ‘ciauscolo’ – this is a spreadable sausage and is delicious alongside olives and a glass of crisp, white local Ribona wine. These meats are often served as part of an antipasti platter, along with cheeses and sun dried tomatoes. The region’s pecorino cheeses are also worth trying, a sheep’s milk cheese which varies from spreadable and soft when young to a Parmesan-like texture when mature and aged for over 2 years.
Ascolana olives are a typical dish of the province of Ascoli Piceno, today widespread throughout Italy where, unlike the city of origin, they are generally served with other fried products as an appetizer. Ascolana olives owe their name to the city of Ascoli Piceno. They are composed of green olives in brine and are stuffed with a tender mixture of meat and coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried. They represent a gastronomic specialty of the Ascoli area and are one of the most representative dishes of the Piceno. They are often accompanied by other fried delights such as savory pastries, meat, vegetables (the mixed fried dish of Ascoli includes artichokes, zucchini and lamb cutlets) and fried custard cubes!
Le Marche is also home to many truffle festivals and fairs, where you can sample dishes made with this local delicacy. Truffles are usually found in the hilly areas of the region, and are used to flavour pasta, risotto and even ice cream.
In addition to traditional dishes, Le Marche also offers a variety of farm-to-table restaurants, where you can enjoy fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Many of these restaurants also offer cooking classes, where you can learn to make traditional Le Marche dishes.
Overall, Le Marche offers a delicious and diverse food scene. From traditional dishes like vincisgrassi and brodetto to locally-sourced ingredients and truffle delicacies, it’s a great place to visit for food lovers. And don’t forget to pair your meals with one of the delicious wines from the region – at Casa Lucia, we offer wines from local vineyards Saputi & Murola and can arrange a tasting visit for you too.
