Nestled between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, Le Marche in Italy offers an enchanting tour through breathtaking landscapes, rich in history and tradition. Le Marche is also a region that has to be explored by lovers of cuisine and natural scenery.
This region boasts a rich and varied mediterranean cuisine characterised by the use of fresh ingredients. Indeed, the typical foods of Le Marche are distinguished by the skilful combinations of flavours.
Let us discover together the culinary delights of this fascinating region, which will make every visit unforgettable. If you are planning your next relaxing getaway and are looking for villas in Italy to rent for you and your family, you can take a look at our range of holiday homes in Italy, especially in Le Marche.
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The traditional dishes of Le Marche: between tradition and simplicity
Marche gastronomy is a celebration of local produce and rural traditions. The typical dishes from Le Marche reflect the abundance of fresh ingredients available, from vegetables to meats, cheeses to seafood, which is typical of mediterranean cuisines.
Simplicity and authenticity are the hallmarks of this cuisine, and the quality of ingredients is always the focus.
There aren’t just beaches in Le Marche: which recipes should you try during your holiday?
Among the most iconic dishes of Le Marche are ‘Vincisgrassi‘, a local version of lasagna, in which seven layers of puff pastry are interspersed with a special sauce enriched with chicken giblets. This hearty and tasty dish is a real treat for the palate and represents the heart of Marche cuisine.
Vincisgrassi are often served as a main dish during festivities or special occasions in Le Marche, but are also equally appreciated as comfort food at any time of the year. Their combination of intense flavours and inviting textures make them a dish loved by everyone, from locals to visitors, wishing to savour authentic Marche cuisine.
Vincisgrassi is an excellence of Marche gastronomy, a dish that embodies tradition, passion and love for good food. Anyone who has the opportunity to taste this delicacy will not fail to be won over by its goodness and authenticity, allowing themselves to be enraptured by the flavours of this traditional dish from le Marche.
Another speciality not to be missed is ‘Brodetto di Pesce’, one of the most popular dishes in the Marche region. It is a rich and tasty fish soup, prepared with a variety of fresh seafood, typical of the Adriatic, such as squid, mussels, clams, prawns and scampi. Its preparation varies slightly from area to area in Le Marche, and each family or restaurant has its own recipe handed down from one generation to the next.
This fish soup is a real delight for the palate, a combination of intense flavours and aromas that bring to mind the traditions and culture of this beautiful Italian region.
Whether you are travelling along the coast or sitting at the kitchen table of your holiday home in Le Marche, savouring a brodetto di pesce is an experience that will lead you to discover the true heart of Le Marche.
For meat lovers, Le Marche offers ‘Coniglio in Porchetta’, a succulent and aromatic dish prepared with rabbit meat stuffed with herbs and spices, then slowly baked in the oven until perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Coniglio in Porchetta is often served as a main dish during festive occasions or family gatherings in the region, accompanied by simple side dishes such as roast potatoes or seasonal vegetables.
But Marche gastronomy is not just about meat and fish. In the province of Pesaro and Urbino, the town of Acqualagna is famous for being one of the main centres of truffle production and trade in Italy. Located in the hinterland of the Marches, this town is considered the ‘Truffle Capital’ and hosts many fairs and markets dedicated to this extraordinary product. The Acqualagna truffle is particularly appreciated for its quality and variety: among the most renowned types are the white truffle, the precious black truffle, the summer truffle and the black truffle.
Each of these has unique sensorial characteristics that lend themselves to different culinary preparations. The Marche region boasts a long tradition in the use of truffles in local cuisine, and there are numerous typical recipes in which they are the main ingredient.
One of the most classic preparations is certainly truffle tagliatelle, where fresh homemade pasta is dressed with melted butter, fresh truffle shavings and grated Parmesan cheese. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the flavour of the truffle to be maximised.
And what about ‘Maccheroncini di Campofilone’, a thin and light fresh pasta, traditionally served with a simple tomato sauce or meat sauce, which expresses all the authenticity of the Marche pasta-making tradition? Native to the small village of Campofilone, located in the province of Fermo, this product is a true jewel of the Marche’s pasta-making tradition and boast a long history dating back centuries.
Moreover, one cannot visit Le Marche without trying ‘Passatelli in Brodo’, a delicious speciality prepared with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs and nutmeg, forming a thick and tasty pasta that is cut into strips and cooked in a rich and fragrant meat broth. Passatelli in Brodo is a delicious speciality of Marche cuisine, particularly popular in this region but appreciated throughout Italy. This dish is a perfect example of comfort food, ideal for cold winter days or as a hearty first course on any occasion.
And what about ‘Crescia Sfogliata’, a thin and crispy flatbread, perfect to accompany local cured meats such as ciauscolo and typical cheeses from the Marche region, such as Pecorino and Caciotta?
But the culinary experience in Le Marche would not be complete without tasting the famous ‘Olive all’Ascolana‘, an irresistible and mouth-watering appetiser. Olive all’Ascolana is a culinary delicacy typical of the city of Ascoli Piceno, located in the southern Marche region. This dish is a true icon of Marche’s gastronomy and is known and appreciated all over the world for its unique flavour and craftsmanship.
Olive all’Ascolana are essentially pitted green olives, stuffed with a meat filling, usually pork, flavoured with spices and herbs, and then breaded and fried to a golden crisp.
Processing requires some skill and precision, as it is important to maintain the shape and consistency of the olives during the filling, breading and frying process. A true piece of culinary history to be enjoyed in every bite.
Olive all’Ascolana are also an ideal accompaniment for a poolside aperitif in a holiday home in Le Marche.
What should be paired with these tasty foods from Le Marche?
Excellent wines from the Marche region, of course. The Marche region is renowned for producing high quality wines, both italian red wines and italian white wines , including Verdicchio, Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno. These wines go beautifully with local dishes and help to enhance the flavours of the region’s cuisine.
Le Marche: An Ideal Choice for Your Holiday
Le Marche is not only a destination for food lovers, it also offers a wide range of activities for all tastes. From the sandy beaches of the Riviera del Conero and the spectacular sea of Le Marche to the picturesque hills of the hinterland, from art cities such as Urbino and Ascoli Piceno to the medieval villages that dot the region, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes.
For those wishing to spend their holidays in Italy in a villa with pool in total peace and comfort, holiday homes in Le Marche are the perfect choice for an accomodation. Immersed in the tranquillity of the Marche’s countryside, with breathtaking views and all the comforts of home, our villas offer an ideal haven in which to regenerate and fully enjoy the beauty of this region. Not to mention that all of our villas have private pools that will make your stay even more memorable.
In conclusion, between the sea, countryside and mountains, it cam be said that Le Marche will satisfy everyone’s taste. Indeed, holidays in Le Marche, Italy, will be definitively unique, combining breathtaking landscapes, cultural richness and delicious cuisine. Whether you are a food enthusiast, a nature lover or a seeker of historical treasures, this region has everything you need to make your stay an unforgettable experience.
