I Love Italian Regional Cooking - Pairing Molise Cuisine With White Wine
Great Molise food, fine Molise or other white wine...Molise is a small region of central eastern Italy on the Adriatic Sea. It is one of the most unspoiled regions of Italy, about 90% hills and mountains. As you might guess, many white wine pairings involve fish and seafood. However, there are also some surprises.
Nettles, they make a great soup.
You won’t get hurt from eating Zuppa di Ortiche (Nettle Soup) often made from early spring nettle sprouts with tomato and bacon. However, if you’re not careful gathering the nettles, you’ll know why they are called stinging nettles. Enjoy this unusual soup with an Italian Sauvignon Blanc.
Insalata all’Abruzzese (Vegetable and Tuna Salad) is Abruzzi’s answer to Salade Niçoise. It’s made from zucchini, green beans, red pepper, red onions, tomatoes, anchovy fillets, canned tuna, and some other goodies. Enjoy this summer dish with a Vermentino di Sardegna DOC or a more expensive Vermentino di Gallura DOCG from Sardinia.
Molise kitchen for preparing great local specialties.
Trota ai Ferri (Grilled Trout) is easy to make. Season a trout with olive oil, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Grill, ideally over charcoal. Serve with lemon and an Italian Gewurztraminer, Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc.
Another fine fish dish is Triglie Fritte (Fried Red Mullets) also known as porgies. This dish calls for small mullets. If the fish are small enough you won’t even have to gut them. The fresher the better. Coat them in flour and deep fry in olive oil. Serve with an Italian Trebbiano wine. Or if you want to up the ante serve with a Chianti DOCG or a Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, both red wines from Tuscany.
You’ll enjoy Calciuni (Molise Christmas Cookies) that are made from boiled chestnuts, candied citron peel, almonds, honey, rum, eggs, and several other ingredients. This is not a simple recipe to make, but you’ll enjoy this dessert especially with a Vino Santo del Chianti DOC or a Vino Santo del Chianti Classico DOC. These golden, sweet Tuscany wines are made from white grapes.
Molise claims to be the home of Jordan almonds locally known as Nocci Attortati. The ingredients are as simple as can be, almonds and sugar. The preparation is somewhat tricky, as you don’t want to brown the almonds or burn the sugar. Enjoy them with a Vino Santo.
About the Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian, French, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and spend time with his wife and family. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Check out his global wine website at www.theworldwidewine.com with his weekly column reviewing $10 wines and his new sections writing about (theory) and tasting (practice) organic and kosher wines. Check out his Italian wine website at www.theitalianwineconnection.com.
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