Discover Catanzaro: Exploring Local Cuisine, Restaurants & Traditional Recipes

Discover Catanzaro: Exploring Local Cuisine, Restaurants & Traditional Recipes

Welcome to Catanzaro, a beautiful city in southern Italy known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and of course, mouthwatering cuisine. In this guide, we will take you on a culinary journey, exploring the local flavors, top restaurants, and traditional recipes that make Catanzaro a food lover's paradise.

Delicious Dishes of Catanzaro

When it comes to traditional dishes, Catanzaro has a lot to offer. Here are some of the must-try delicacies:

• Pitta 'mpigliata: A delicious pastry made with a mixture of dried fruits, nuts, honey, and spices. It's perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
• Nduja: A fiery spreadable salami made from pork, chili peppers, and spices. It is often served on bread or used as a condiment to add a kick to various dishes.
• Fileja: A type of pasta specially made in the region. It has a twisted shape and is typically served with hearty meat or vegetable sauces.
• Cuddrurieddri: Small, savory fried dough balls seasoned with various herbs and spices. They are a popular street food snack.
• Sardella: A spicy and flavorful fish sauce made with sardines, anchovies, garlic, and chili peppers. It adds a unique taste to many local dishes.

Top Restaurants in Catanzaro

When it comes to dining out in Catanzaro, you won't be disappointed. Here are some of the top restaurants that showcase the best of the local cuisine:

1. Ristorante La Taverna del Duca: Situated in the heart of Catanzaro, this restaurant offers a cozy ambiance and serves delicious traditional dishes with a modern twist.
2. Ristorante Antica Trattoria: Known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, this family-run trattoria offers a menu packed with authentic Catanzaro flavors.
3. Ristorante Il Bersagliere: Located in a historic building, this elegant restaurant offers a refined dining experience with a focus on fresh local ingredients.
4. Ristorante La Piazzetta: With its picturesque outdoor seating and a menu inspired by traditional recipes, this restaurant is a perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed meal.
5. Ristorante Albergo Centrale: Combining traditional and innovative flavors, this restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers.

Traditional Recipes to Try at Home

If you want to recreate the flavors of Catanzaro in your own kitchen, here are a couple of traditional recipes to try:

Pitta 'mpigliata

Ingredients:

• 500g all-purpose flour
• 200g almonds, finely chopped
• 200g walnuts, finely chopped
• 200g dried figs, chopped
• 200g raisins
• 200g honey
• 100g dark chocolate, grated
• 100g sugar
• 100ml extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, almonds, walnuts, figs, raisins, chocolate, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
2. In a separate small bowl, mix together the honey and olive oil until well combined.
3. Pour the honey and olive oil mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
5. Divide the dough into smaller portions and roll them out into thin rectangles.
6. Bake the rectangles in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Allow the pitta 'mpigliata to cool before cutting into smaller pieces. Serve and enjoy!

Fileja with Meat Sauce

Ingredients:

• 500g fileja pasta
• 400g ground beef
• 200g tomato sauce
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
2. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Pour in the red wine and cook until the alcohol evaporates.
3. Add the tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. In the meantime, cook the fileja pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the cooking water.
5. Transfer the cooked pasta to the pot with the meat sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly, adding some of the reserved cooking water if needed to loosen the sauce.
6. Serve the fileja with meat sauce hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Now you are ready to savor the flavors of Catanzaro both in the city's top restaurants and in the comfort of your own home. Buon appetito!