Gargano is one of the most beautiful and characteristic areas of Puglia. Also known as "the spur of Italy" due to its geographical location, it is a mountainous promontory located in northern Puglia.
Gastronomy
Gargano is an area rich in history and traditions. Among its typical products we undoubtedly find the Caciocavallo Podolico , a prized cheese. This product has also been awarded the Slow Food Presidium. Caciocavallo Podolico is made from the milk of this breed of cow. To enjoy it at its best, it is best enjoyed at room temperature with a red wine.
Another surprising product of the Gargano is the Black anchovies from Vieste . These are blue fish with remarkable nutritional qualities. They can be enjoyed marinated or accompanied by locally sourced turnips and extra virgin olive oil.
And finally, one of the most typical desserts of the Gargano cannot be missed: the Stuffed wafers . They are made with crunchy almonds, making them a very delicate dessert. Stuffed wafers have a very unique history: it is said that nuns were preparing the wafer dough for the following day's Mass; however, some of them fell into a bowl containing honey-caramelized almonds, and the nuns were unable to remove the wafers. Thus, the stuffed wafer was born. This dessert can vary in size, but is usually round or oval in shape.
The craft
In addition to its culinary tradition, Gargano also boasts a long artisan tradition. Gargano craftsmanship is primarily linked to Ceramics : each village had its own distinctive vases, different from those of the neighboring village. The artisans mainly forged objects for everyday use such as bowls, glasses, plates but also vases and particular artistic productions such as Whistles . In fact, even today, when visiting small towns on the Gargano like Peschici or Vieste, there are many small shops dedicated to the art of ceramics, selling whistles of all types, shapes, and colors, harking back to this long and ancient tradition.
Another important tradition is linked to the weaving and the art of embroidery . In period homes, carefully embroidered lace can be found everywhere, featuring motifs related to the sea such as shells or herringbone, or motifs related to the earth such as flowers or bunches of grapes, or even religious motifs.
The Gargano is therefore a very unique and, above all, very rich area: not only does it have magnificent beaches, but it is also a territory with a long history and precious traditions.
Source: Nonno Michele Editorial Staff