The Road to Abruzzo: Recipes from the Italian Countryside

Just an hour and a half northeast of Rome, in the lightly touristed, barely touched region of Abruzzo, modern-day shepherds follow ancient roads, winemakers prefer unheralded grapes, and feasting is at the center of everyday life. These recipes were featured in Adam Leith Gollner's story The Road to Abruzzo.

Abruzzo, Spaghetti alla Chitarra with Lamb and Sweet Pepper Ragu
Spaghetti alla Chitarra with Lamb and Sweet Pepper Ragù

Lighter than the rich beef and pork ragùs of other Italian regions, this Abruzzo specialty features bell peppers mixed into the sauce and cooked briefly so they retain their shape and lend a pop of sweetness. It is typically served over spaghetti alla chitarra (pasta from Abruzzo that is shaped on a tool that resembles a guitar), though it makes a delicious sauce for almost any type of long noodle. Get the recipe for Spaghetti alla Chitarra with Lamb and Sweet Pepper Ragù »

Abruzzo, Crepes, Recipe, Italy, Roadtrip
Broth with Crêpes (Crespelle en Brodo)

Parmesan-laced crêpes soak in a pool of deeply-rich bone broth in this recipe from Abruzzo wine-maker Emidio Pepe’s wife, Rosa.

Porchetta-Style Chicken
Porchetta-Style Chicken

Marinated chicken breasts are spread with garlic paste, herbs, and pancetta before being rolled and grilled in this porchetta adaptation inspired by Taverna 58, a restaurant in the seaside town of Pescara, Italy. Get the recipe for Porchetta-Style Chicken »

Fried Stuffed Castelvetrano Olives
Fried Stuffed Castelvetrano Olives

Making for a substantial snack, Rosa Pepe stuffs olives with a simple beef and pork filling; then dredges them in breadcrumbs before crisping them up in the deep-fryer. Get the recipe for Fried Stuffed Castelvetrano Olives »

Abruzzo-Style Grape Focaccia
Abruzzo-Style Grape Focaccia

Abruzzo-Style Grape Focaccia

Veal and Spinach Lasagna

Unlike the heavy red-sauced lasagnas served in America, this Abruzzo-style version relies on an ethereal egg and tomato sauce that puffs when the lasagna is cooked, giving it a soufflé-like appearance.

Abruzzo Lamb ragu Crepes
ROMULO YANES
Techniques

The Road to Abruzzo: Recipes from the Italian Countryside

Just an hour and a half northeast of Rome, in the lightly touristed, barely touched region of Abruzzo, modern-day shepherds follow ancient roads, winemakers prefer unheralded grapes, and feasting is at the center of everyday life. These recipes were featured in Adam Leith Gollner's story The Road to Abruzzo.

Abruzzo, Spaghetti alla Chitarra with Lamb and Sweet Pepper Ragu
Spaghetti alla Chitarra with Lamb and Sweet Pepper Ragù

Lighter than the rich beef and pork ragùs of other Italian regions, this Abruzzo specialty features bell peppers mixed into the sauce and cooked briefly so they retain their shape and lend a pop of sweetness. It is typically served over spaghetti alla chitarra (pasta from Abruzzo that is shaped on a tool that resembles a guitar), though it makes a delicious sauce for almost any type of long noodle. Get the recipe for Spaghetti alla Chitarra with Lamb and Sweet Pepper Ragù »

Abruzzo, Crepes, Recipe, Italy, Roadtrip
Broth with Crêpes (Crespelle en Brodo)

Parmesan-laced crêpes soak in a pool of deeply-rich bone broth in this recipe from Abruzzo wine-maker Emidio Pepe’s wife, Rosa.

Porchetta-Style Chicken
Porchetta-Style Chicken

Marinated chicken breasts are spread with garlic paste, herbs, and pancetta before being rolled and grilled in this porchetta adaptation inspired by Taverna 58, a restaurant in the seaside town of Pescara, Italy. Get the recipe for Porchetta-Style Chicken »

Fried Stuffed Castelvetrano Olives
Fried Stuffed Castelvetrano Olives

Making for a substantial snack, Rosa Pepe stuffs olives with a simple beef and pork filling; then dredges them in breadcrumbs before crisping them up in the deep-fryer. Get the recipe for Fried Stuffed Castelvetrano Olives »

Abruzzo-Style Grape Focaccia
Abruzzo-Style Grape Focaccia

Abruzzo-Style Grape Focaccia

Veal and Spinach Lasagna

Unlike the heavy red-sauced lasagnas served in America, this Abruzzo-style version relies on an ethereal egg and tomato sauce that puffs when the lasagna is cooked, giving it a soufflé-like appearance.

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