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WHAT TO EAT IN MAREMMA

Guide to Tuscan Gastronomy and Cuisine: Read more

Regional Cuisines:

Florence

Aquacotta

Maremma extends along the coast from south of Livorno to Rome and inland to the Apennines. Historically a poor area, Maremma is known for its rural farmlands. Dishes like aquacotta reflect such a history. Aquacotta, meaning cooked water, is another representation of cucina povera. This simple vegetable soup enriched with stale bread was a means for locals to make a tasty meal with what they had on hand. Farmers needing a heartier meal enhanced the soup with a poached egg.

Gnudi

Gnudi or malfatti are another typical dish of Maremma and are served throughout Tuscany as well. Richly flavored spinach and ricotta dumplings are often served in tomato sauce or butter and sage. They’re called gnudi, meaning naked, as they resemble ravioli without the pasta exterior. While malfatti means poorly made for their irregular, lumpy shape.

Tortelli maremmani

Additionally, tortelli maremmani is a popular Tuscan dish from the region. These tortelli are like ravioli but larger in shape and with a higher pasta-to-dough ratio, typically filled with ricotta, wild greens, spinach, and nutmeg.

Cinghiale alla maremmana

As might be expected from rural Maremma, cinghiale, or wild boar, is also savored here. Cinghiale alla maremmana is a strongly flavored dish enjoyed in the region for centuries. The wild boar meat marinates overnight and is slowly cooked with onions, celery, carrots, laurel, juniper, and wine until super tender. The meat frequently tops a mound of creamy polenta.

DESSERTS IN MAREMMA

Sfratti di Pitigliano

Finally, for dessert in Maremma, seek out Sfratti di Pitigliano, a sweet treat with Jewish origins, as Pitigliano has always been a refuge for the Jewish community. Sfratti di Pitigliano is made with unleavened pastry dough shaped like a stick filled with a delicious mixture of walnuts, honey, spices, and orange.

WINES OF TUSCANY

Wine-making in Tuscany has a rich history dating back to the Romans, Christian monks in the Middle Ages, and aristocrats during the Renaissance. Tuscan wines like Vino Nobile di Montepulciano have been popular since the 16th century, with famous admirers like William III and Jonathan Swift. Tuscany is a diverse region with various wine areas, all sharing Sangiovese as the primary red grape and Trebbiano as the dominant white grape. Northern Tuscany features mountainous terrain, while Florence and Pisa are in the central and southern parts. Chianti, known for its prestigious Chianti Classico DOCG, extends from Florence to Siena, and other subregions like Chianti Rufina are picturesque. Classic Chianti wine includes Sangiovese and sometimes white grapes.

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