The south of Italy has some of the best agriculturally rich land in the whole of Europe and with Calabria's location deep down at the foot of the country, the mediterranean climate means that there is no end to the amazing variety of produce available.
Just take a drive through the region and you will see no end of farmland growing olives, fresh juicy oranges, lemons, limes, peaches, bergamot (aromatic fruit) and of course, the famous red onions of Tropea.
Nduja Di Spilinga
You may be surprised to find that certain parts of the region have a great love of all things hot, including many types of chili pepper, but the soft, spreadable salami known as nduja is perhaps the most famous hot and spicy food in Calabria. As the name suggests, this delicacy hails from Spilinga, an inland town about 10km south of Tropea and 'nduja' originates from the french word 'andouille', which translates into 'sausage'.
The sausage is made from a small amount of fat, pork meat, salt and plenty of red pepper, hence the spiciness. If the nduja is a little hot for you don't down a glass of water to cool off, that just makes it worse. Sip red wine instead and that will help to lesson the buring sensation. Nduja is well known as an aphrodisiac aswell as being good for the heart so you can't go wrong!
Onions, pasta and more
The red onions of Tropea are grown along the coast in both directions and come in three varieties: 'cipolla di serbo' which is crunchy, sweet and dry, 'cipolla fresca' which has a long stem and is soft and sweet and 'cipollotto' which is also sweet and soft but white in color. The Tropea Red Onion Festival takes place every August in Ricadi.
There are many different types of pasta found in the region and legend has it that Calabria girls had to be able to make thirteen different types of pasta before they were able to marry. Some of the more commonly seen are Fileja, Strangugghi and Tagghiarini and all are best served with a tomato and pork sauce.
Another well known export from Calabria is extra virgin olive oil. The Bertolli brand originates from this area. Further up the coast in Pizzo you wil lfind some of the finest ice cream dishes anywhere! The Tartufo of Pizzo has to be sampled and washed down with some fine coffee.
The province of Cosenza is an excellent place to test the regions wines. The tourist board highlight Verbicaro, Esaro, Donnici, Savuto and Pollino as just some to sample and all go very well with the regions food.
Calabria Restaurants
As you might expect, this area has no shortage of quality eateries but we havea few that you might like to visit if you get the chance.
Antico Borgo is situated in the historical centre of Tropea, close to the Dome.
La Casereccia da Franco and L'Uliveto (Brattirņ near
Ricadi)
Rist.Pizzeria Porta Vaticana La Boheme and la Cantina del Giudice in Tropea.
Valleverde (Zambrone)
Pirapora (Piscopio near Zambrone)
Many restaurants are only open in the summer months but even out of season you will always find somewhere to eat and the famous Don Rocco restaurant and pizzeria in Tropea seems to never close!
