My husband Tom is a foodie. As evidenced by his blog, The Palladian Traveler, he loves to photograph and write about Italian food and wine, so when we moved to Puglia from the Veneto, I wondered how the local fare would satisfy his palate. Would Tom enjoy his new diet?
Well, I need not have worried. The food here in Puglia is consistently the best I have ever tasted. Being a peninsula, surrounded by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, the fish is so fresh, it’s almost leaping out of the abundant display cabinets in the supermarkets and pescherie (fish shops) on a daily basis.
The cheese counter is likewise an abundant affair with creamy burrata being a great favourite of mine. It is even used to place on top of a plate of pasta, where it melts enticingly down the sides, like snow melting on a roof.
The local pasticerria in Ostuni is heaven for anyone with a sweet tooth. And judging by the scores of people who frequent Ciccio, for their morning fix of cappucino and a pastry, there are plenty of those around!
Likewise, the fruit and vegetable shops are bursting at the seams with wholesome, freshly picked fare. No problem getting your five-a-day here; the rich, red soil yields its vitamin-filled bounty with gusto.
Cows and sheep are bred on the higher parts of the Murgia; the plateau which reaches from north of Bari to the White City of Ostuni. At the lower end of the Murgia is the Valle d’Itria (Itrian Valley). Martina Franca is the highest town in the Valle d’Itria and is famous for its Capocollo di Martina Franca. Capocollo is a traditional dry-cured cold cut made from neck of pork. (Collo means neck in Italian). It is, typically, sliced very thinly and is absolutely delicious.
Bruschette with capocollo, ricotta and fennel
Most restaurants have a choice of meat or fish depending on whether you are up on the hills or down on the coast. Polpette (meat balls) are a great favourite.
Polpette with orichette and parmesan cheese
Order a simple salad…..
…..or wander into an ordinary bar and order an aperitivo. You will be amazed by the amount of food that is brought to your table.
Bombette are a specialty of the Valle D’Itria. A bombette is a well seasoned piece of pork wrapped around a piece of cheese and cooked on a grill. It is often served as ‘street food’ and arrives in a bread roll.
Bombette
Cime di Rape (turnip tops) with orecchiette (little ears) pasta is extremely popular too. For me it needs quite a hefty sprinkle of parmiggiano, but you can find it on many menus here.
Feast your eyes on some of my foodie photographs. Let’s start with a couple of antipasti…..
…..followed by pasta…..
Now for our fish course. Just run your cursor over the photos for a description.
Sinful desserts……
And the wines?
Full bodied and interesting there is wine here for every palate. Tom particularly enjoys a rosato, but here are a few of our favourites.
If you want variety and a true Mediterranean diet at its most delicious and fresh, just head to Puglia on the stiletto heel of Italy.
Cin cin!
Orna O’Reilly
Ostuni, Puglia
Orna O'Reilly: Travelling Italy 
My mouth is watering – your pictures are scrumptious! Thank you for sharing – we loved the Puglia area when we visited.
You need to return….the best food on the planet awaits!
What a fantastic roundup of the meals you’ve had since moving from the Veneto. I couldn’t believe the selection of fish and seafood – fresh and frozen (with accompanying scoops) at your local supermarket when I visited last March. I’d be in heaven, Orna, if my Dublin Supervalue or Dunnes carried even an eighth of the display you enjoy!
Dublin is great, but not quite on the Mediterranean for the food selection, unfortunately. Scoops of fish in Supervalue? Not a bad idea. Come back soon. 😊
You’re killin’ me, Orna! I will be heading to the Veneto next Spring for a few months. I may have to get Puglia a try.
Yes you will! The food here is probably the best on the planet.
Mama mia. You would go there for the food. I have spent time in Puglia. It is not only gorgeous but the food really is spectacular
You need to come back soon! Fresh fish and an authentic Mediterranean diet await.
I agree, Puglia has some of the best food in Italy.
For me, having travelled Italy extensively, Puglia illustrates the best representation of Italian food possible. Unpretentious farm to fork dining is the norm here.
I think Tom will survive just find, Orna. 🙂
jaent
Janet, he seems to be thriving! Farmer by day, chef by night (not always!) seems to be doing him good!
❤️
All of a sudden, I’m hungry. Very hungry. And thirsty!
You need to visit Puglia then….problem solved! 😁
Have just discovered your lovely post. We are considering coming to ‘eat our way round Puglia’ in the second half of October. Is October ok or might we find that lots of restaurants were closed? If so, maybe we should rethink the dates. Thank you .
October is a beautiful month to visit Puglia. Weather is mild, the countryside is looking green and there are loads of restaurants open. Puglia is not just for tourists. The seaside resorts are quiet, but many have restaurants open at the weekends. However, the towns themselves are alive and well all year round, with a great variety of terrific places to eat. Take Ostuni for example. Or Ceglie Messapica, Martina Franca or Cisternino. All lively towns with lots of eateries. Stay in a hotel or masseria and not a trullo at that time of year. Trulli are wonderful in summer, but can be a bit dank as the evenings draw in. Enjoy!