Why is basilicata famous

There is still a strong tradition of shepherding in this region, on the slopes and pastures of the mountains. Young lamb is a delicacy and was historically considered to be a remedy.

Today it is served for Christmas and Easter family meals. At Christmas, even poor families still feast on as many as 13 different dishes. Pigs are raised by families and spit-roasted during festivities or made into salumi , which may be piccante from the added chillies or not.

Sausages are sometimes also preserved in rendered pork fat. Local pork products include: ventresca di Rionero, pancetta , lardo , prosciutto , the famous lucanica sausage praised even in Roman times, pezzenta seasoned head meat , sopressata made here from offal , vecciareddra lungs, skin, and cartilage sausage , and cotechinata.

Other local ingredients include: prickly pears, figs, capers, and honey; patelle limpet, a type of mollusc , anchovies, truffles, liquorice, durum wheat, and many cultivated fruits: strawberries, raspberries, peaches, pears, grapes, asparagus, oranges, tangerines, clementines, grapefruits, and nuts almonds, hazelnuts, and chestnuts. Basilicata produces fine extra virgin olive oil in several parts of the region. Some olives are salt-cured for table eating. The typical dishes of Basilicata include pasta dressed in tomato sauce, herbs and chilli, or pecorino cheese and olive oil.

Meat, when cooked, is usually grilled, braised, or baked. Meals often end with cheese, followed by nuts and oranges. Desserts are sweet; some include honey. Grape vines in Vulture by Basilicata Turistica. Basilicata is famous for its Amaro Lucano, a bitter after-dinner liqueur made from alcohol infused with wild and medicinal herbs.

A list of typical dishes from Basilicata the most classic dishes are written in bold :. Pipu baked pasta dough topped with oregano, pecorino cheese, and tomato sauce.

U pastizze or cuzzola baked filled dough with lamb, beaten eggs, and grated cheese, for Easter. Acquasale soup with onion, beaten eggs, and chilli, served with fresh breadcrumbs and grated ricotta salata cheese. Lagane e Ceci chickpea soup with garlic, rosemary, and chilli, served with fresh lagane pasta.

Pancotto bread soup with cherry tomatoes, broccoli rabe , onions, wild chicory, and cabbage boiled with bay leaf and chilli, dressed with olive oil. Ragnante potatoes with onions, tomatoes, pecorino , and olive oil. Ravioli alla potentina ravioli pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese, prosciutto, eggs, and parsley, served with meat sauce and grated salted ricotta cheese. Strascinato con la menta strascinato pasta dressed with mint, lardo , oil, garlic, and chilli, sometimes with crushed chilli.

Beccacce alla Lucana woodcock flavoured with bay leaf, barded with prosciutto , cooked in white wine, and served with toasted bread and a sauce made from the giblets, capers, anchovy, and Marsala wine. Migliatello baked lamb or goat innards flavoured with garlic and parsley, wrapped in pancetta or prosciutto , secured with intestines with oil, salt, rosemary, and bay leaves. Calzone di verdure alla Lucana stuffed pizza with chard, chilli, and raisins or black olives.

Cappelle di porcini al forno baked porcini mushrooms with parsley, garlic, chilli, breadcrumbs, and oregano. Melanzane al forno aubergine baked with black olives, anchovies, capers, tomatoes, garlic, parsley, oregano, bread, and herbs. Sign Up. Travel Guides. Videos Beyond Hollywood Hungerlust Pioneers of love. Things to Do. Francesca Masotti. Visit Matera. Explore Wild Maratea. Admire the Nature in Pollino National Park. Relax at the Thermal Springs in Latronico. Walk Through the Ancient Site of Metaponto.

Stroll Through Potenza. Visit the Little Pompeii. See Old Roman Ruins in Venosa. Be Amazed by Castle Tramontano. Even though it is a mainly internal region, Basilicata touches two seas : the Ionian and Tyrrhenian. The Ionic coast, with the two famous sea resorts of Metaponto and Policoro , offers wide beaches, either sandy or pebbly, and partially surrounded by pinewoods and rows of eucalyptus that give off a lovely scent.

The Gulf of Policastro , on the Tyrrhenian side, has higher and more indented coasts, where steep promontories alternate with small beaches washed by a crystal-clear sea.

The provinces of the region are Potenza regional capital and Matera. Taking a walk along the lanes of the Civita , the oldest part of the town, you enter the ancient urban area formed by a dense network of caves, dug out of the rock by shepherds to shelter their family and livestock.

It is an ancient architectural work with no design, which gave rise to a real monumental work, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world. For those who prefer not to plunge into the depths of the sea, this splendid land offers countless small beaches for relaxing under the sun and swimming in the unpolluted sea water.

A different way to enjoy and get to know the sea is a boat tour to visit the many caves that form the coastline. For the most part, Basilicata is occupied by mountains, covered with wonderful woods and splendid forests, a spectacular landscape where one can regenerate, have fun and eat good food all through the year.

In winter, when a white blanket covers the highest peaks, one can practice a wide range sports - which are not excluded to one season. During the summer, the mountains are a perfect place for those who love walking, climbing, cycling or just reading a good book. Riding a grass scooter , snow tubing, or attempting a drive in a devalkart a type of go-kart on grass : these are all original and enjoyable ways to spend your holidays in the beautiful nature of this region.

There are wonderful places to explore riding a horse or a mountain bike , or to simply take a walk along one of the many paths that climb up the mountains and lead to breathtakingly-beautiful views. Limpid and pure, roaring and swift, calm and warm: this is the sea that touches Basilicata. Streams and brooks flow down from the mountains, lakes are surrounded by lush vegetation, and the water basks in its thousands of blue shades.