Menu
Menu
A region that until the early 1960’s was considered part of Abruzzo, Molise shares many of its cultural traditions and rural industries with that of its northern neighbor.
While Molise might be Italy’s youngest and least known region, it is also home to some of Italy’s oldest wine and gastronomic traditions.
Nestled between the Apennines and the Adriatic, the region, like so many in Italy is comprised of many Roman ruins and medieval churches. With less exposure than Tuscany or the tourist rich Veneto, many tourists will begrudgingly admit to knowing very little about Molise.
This plays in its favor though, as many parts of Italy now being overrun by droves of sunseekers and cultural aficionados, being relatively unknown gives the region a truly undiscovered feeling.
With the region being primarily covered in mountainous terrain, Molise’s vineyards spread from the foothills of the Apennines all the way to the Adriatic. Similar to that of its Abruzzese neighbors, it has seen its viniculture shaped by the dramatic flux in elevation and temperature.
Although lesser known than other wine producing regions, a permeating trend with Molise, it has still managed to create some exceptional wines.
Having had a strong dependence on sheep herding throughout its history, Molise’s regional dishes place a strong emphasis on its rural ties to the shepherds that once roamed its countryside.
One such dish, Pezzata, involves boiling chopped mutton and cooking it in a traditional copper container for an extended period. The Lamb is slowly braised with potatoes and spices until completely tender.
Pampanella, a popular street food in Molise, involves cooking marinated pork in an oven and serving in a bun. While less formal, the dish represents the subtle yet masterful approach to life in the region
Flagship Food Appellations
The capital, Campobasso, overlooked by the impressive Castello Monforte, has sadly shared a fate similar to that of L’Aquila, facing the brunt of a horrific earthquake in 2002, that killed 32 and toppled many of the city’s medieval buildings. Undeterred, the city holds an annual Infiorata festival, seeing thousands of local flowers shaped into colorful carpets on the city streets in honor of Corpus Domini.
Home to numerous Roman ruins, Molise provides ample opportunities for those looking to rekindle their love for ancient history. Saepinum, a Roman ruin south of Campobasso, retains many of the original structures built by its former inhabitants. Those looking for something a little livelier, the seaside resort of Termoli provides an ample mix of sand and sea. Its traditional fishing platforms, trabucchi, provide a snapshot into the ancient fishing methods of Molise’s coastal communities.
The farming identity of Molise is at the base of magnificent traditions and folk festivals. These include the Jelsi Wheat Festival, celebrated on July 26, and the ‘Ndocciata of Agnone, on December 24th.
During the Jelsi Wheat Festival, the districts of the city prepare allegorical floats with wheat ears.
Ndocciata comes from thr word ‘ndoccia’ which is a torch. On Christmas Eve, hundreds of big torches are lit like a river of fire and parade along the main street of Agnone.
© 2024 The Wineandtravelitaly.com Team All rights reserved.
When was the last time you had dinner in an Italian restaurant in Canada and you thought you were dining in Italy? That’s exactly how “Ospitalità Italiana Certified”restaurants want you to feel when you visit their fine dining establishments.
Ospitalità Italiana is an official certification from Unioncamere, Italy’s federation of local Chambers of Commerce and Industry, that tells you that the food you are enjoying is unquestionably Italian: products are authentic, ingredients genuine and recipes true to the thousand year history of Italian cuisine.
Canada is home to some leading Italian Chefs. Passionate and innovative, many have refined their skills and advanced their knowledge directly in Italy. In addition, Montréal boasts a fabulous cooking school ITHQ where young aspiring chefs learn Italian technic and Italian traditional recipes from the masters.
So the next time you make reservations for an Italian dinner in a Montreal restaurant, ask if they’ve received the Ospitalità Italiana seal of approval. You will enjoy the true Italian taste.