How to Plan a Culinary Tour of Southern Italy

Italy isn't just known for its beautiful scenery, magnificent art and sun-drenched villas; it also produces some of the most mouth-watering dishes imaginable. Southern Italy is especially appreciated for its variety of food and complex flavors. If you are a food connoisseur, or just plain hungry, here are some tips to help you plan a culinary trip to southern Italy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Nosh on some pizza in Naples. Naples is known for its pizza and spaghetti. Try a marinara pizza topped with sun kissed tomatoes, garlic and basil. If that doesn't whet your appetite, try other Neapolitan favorites such as fried rice balls and cheesy calzones.
2. Sample some seafood in Sardinia. Spaghetti with sea urchin sauce, deep-fried sea anemones, mussels and tuna are local favorites. Don't forget to try the deliciously famous fried cheese ravioli drizzled with honey for dessert.
3. Savor the spices of Sicily. Sicilian cooking is famous for its reliance on exotic Mediterranean spices. Expect to encounter liberal helpings of saffron, cinnamon, lemon rind, blood oranges, capers, sun-dried sea salt and mountain oregano flavoring your dishes. For the more adventurous, fried chickpea flour and boiled octopus are widely available from street vendors.
4. Munch on mozzarella on the Amalfi Coast. Dairy farms near the town of Paestum on the Amalfi Coast are famous for their buffalo farms which produce exquisite mozzarella cheese among other dairy products.
5. Pig out in Puglia. Puglia offers a variety of Southern Italian dishes. Expect to find and enjoy bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil, fava beans, pasta with eggplant and mint sauce, ricotta gnocchi and even spring lamb.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget the wine. No culinary tour of Southern Italy would be complete without sampling several of the excellent Italian wines.