Basilicata's Aperitif
Basilicata and Lucanian Traditions
You find yourself in this wonderful land, Basilicata, and you had the excellent intention of relaxing, perhaps enjoying an aperitif? Or do you want to enjoy a Lucanian aperitif comfortably at home? In this mini guide, you will find the answers to your questions. Basilicata, or Lucania, is located in southern Italy and has always distinguished itself for the vastness of excellent agri-food products produced there. You couldn’t have chosen better! This country is renowned throughout the national territory for being the place where some of the best types of local products are born and, thanks to them, also the best Lucanian recipes.Basilicata's product
Basilicata is known for being the region where the best types of , are born. Among the most important Lucanian products, some have notable recognitions such as IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) and DOP (Protected Designation of Origin). The endless delights that this land can offer you are countless, so let’s not waste time and see what’s good to taste!
A typical Lucanian product par excellence is the , which means crunchy. It is a particular quality of sweet peppers with low water content, typical of Senise. In summer, they are harvested and threaded with needle and thread, creating a sort of necklaces that are then exposed to the sun to dry the peppers. Once dry, they can be fried in a pan with extra virgin olive oil, being careful not to burn them. They can then be enjoyed in many ways; excellent for a tasty aperitif, as a crunchy side dish, to season bruschetta, with potatoes, or pasta.
Among the cheeses, the caciocavallo podolico stands out for its fame, which, in addition to being produced in Basilicata, is also found in other regions such as Calabria and Puglia. It is a stretched curd cheese made with the milk of a type of Podolica breed cow. It cannot be missing from your aperitif because once you try it, you will be amazed by its unique aroma. Another type of cheese is the Canestrato di Moliterno, which is produced in various areas of Basilicata using cow and goat milk. As the name suggests, its aging takes place in Moliterno. Its flavor is slightly spicy, but if you don’t mind the taste, you will be truly impressed!
Among the cured meats, we remember the Pezzente which is called so for its “poor” origins. In fact, it was and is produced from the processing of mixed pork, veal, and lamb meat along with various spices.
In addition to cured meats and cheeses, bread cannot be missing from your aperitif, and undoubtedly the one you should choose is Matera bread It is a unique baked product made according to ancient tradition, with water, salt, durum wheat semolina flour, and, of course, sourdough.
Bread, cured meats, and cheeses, what is missing is the extra virgin olive oil from Vulture, produced in the province of Potenza and unmistakable for its color and smell.
Lucania is a land of a thousand potentials, for this reason, we cannot fail to mention the Sarconi beans IGP with their sweet flavor and the red eggplants of Rotonda, which are among the most appreciated products of the region. They are characterized by a color similar to that of tomatoes and are grown in the Pollino National Park, in the province of Potenza.
An aperitif can only be called such if accompanied by an excellent wine, also Lucanian, also IGP. Aglianico, Falanghina, or a good prosecco accompany the delicacies that Basilicata offers.
So what are you waiting for, taste these delicacies right away or use them to create not just a simple aperitif, but a real work of art!
