Regional specialities of Southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia

Abruzzo and Molise

Spaghetti alla chitarra, a type of square spaghetti made by had and cut into strips.

Campania

Specialities from Napels and the area around Napels are the mozzarella di bufala, spaghetti alle vongole. Pizza was invented in Napels around 1830. The Neapolitan pizza is ticker than the Roman pizza, which is very fine and crusty.

The Islands

Sicily

Sicilian specialities include pasta alla Norma (with aubergines, tomatoes and ricotta cheese) and con le sarde (with sardines). Cuscusu is a type of fish soup inherited from the Arabs. Sicily is also renowned for its pastries, such as cannoli (filled with ricotta and candied fruit) and cassata (cream cake with chocolate cream and candied fruits).

Sardinia

Famous dishes include malloreddus (pasta shells with sausage and tomatoes, lobster soup and pork cooked on a spit. Pecorino sardo is the island's most renowned cheese.

Basilicata, Apulia and Calabria

Regional dishes from Apulia include Orecchiette con cime di rapa, rice with mussels, stuffed cuttlefish (seppia), ostriche di Taranto (oysters) and capretto ripieno al forno (roast kid stuffed with herbs). Basilicata's specialities include pasta alla potentina and a range of lamb and mutton dishes. Basilicata also has a good selection of cheeses: caciocavallo, scamorza and ricotta.

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