Authentic flavours
Typical food and wine
What to eat
Salento food is one of the most fascinating reasons to choose a holiday in Lecce and the surrounding towns. Authentic flavours, recipes handed down from generation to generation and genuine ingredients make every meal an unforgettable moment. Let’s discover together the typical specialities that cannot be missed during a stay in Salento, to enjoy a unique culinary experience.
The rustico and the calzone
Among the most representative delicacies of the Salento are the rustico and the calzone, two authentic local delicacies.
Rustico is a mouth-watering disc of crispy puff pastry, filled with tomato and béchamel sauce, with a touch of pepper that makes it irresistible. Perfect as a snack or appetiser, it can be found in every bakery and rotisserie. The calzone, on the other hand, is reminiscent of the panzerotto of other Italian regions, but is distinguished by its baked and fried versions, offering a different and satisfying taste experience.
Pasticciotto, fruttone and other sweets
Among the most mouth-watering symbols of Lecce pastries are the pasticciotto and the fruttone.
Pasticciotto is an oval-shaped cake with a crunchy texture, thanks to its shortcrust pastry filled with velvety cream. A real treat for the palate, capable of winning over every visitor. The fruttone, similar in shape, is instead covered with a chocolate icing and filled with a delicious jam, for those who like more intense flavours.
In the Salento, sweets are many and varied: in addition to typical Christmas specialities such as purceddhruzzi and ncarteddhrate, almond paste sweets, a symbol of local tradition, stand out.
The puccia and other baked goods
Another icon of Lecce gastronomy is the puccia, a soft, large sandwich that can be filled with an infinite variety of ingredients: cold meats, cheeses, fresh vegetables, and more. It is perfect for a quick lunch or a tasty snack. A tasty alternative to traditional bread is sceblasti, also known as pizzo, a rustic bread enriched with olives, onions, courgettes, capers and other ingredients that make it particularly tasty and aromatic.
Staying on the subject of baked goods, the taralli are a must, typical of the Apulian tradition and available in many variations, ideal for munching at any time of day.
The timeless frisa with tomato
One of the symbols of Lecce gastronomy is the frisa, a hard, crunchy bread, perfect for the warmer months. The frisa is softened by soaking it briefly in water and seasoned with fresh tomato, olive oil, salt and, if desired, other ingredients such as tuna, rocket and capers. This simple but tasty dish has long been a poor man’s food, but today it is considered a true delicacy that tells the story of Salento’s gastronomic history and culture.
Home-made pasta
Lecce’s trattorias and restaurants offer different types of homemade pasta, an expression of Salento’s culinary tradition. One of the most popular recipes is ciceri e tria, an original variation of the classic pasta and chickpeas, characterised by the use of fried pasta together with boiled pasta. This dish combines different textures and intense flavours, providing an experience that takes you back to the flavours of yesteryear.
Fish and meat
In Salento, fresh fish is the undisputed protagonist, with a wide range of dishes that enhance the flavours of the sea. Mixed fritters are among the most popular, but during patronal festivals and the celebration of Sant’Oronzo, the scapece is a must. This dish, prepared with fried fish marinated in vinegar and saffron, is distinguished by its soft texture and characteristic yellow colour.
For those who prefer meat, there are the famous turcinieddhri, tasty roulades of lamb and kid innards to be barbecued, an authentic and intense flavour. Other local specialities include the pezzetti di cavallo, a horse meat cooked for a long time in a rich tomato sauce, ideal to enjoy with a good local bread.
What to drink in Lecce
The Salento is a land famous for its fine wines, where every sip tells of a passion for winemaking. Among the reds, the full-bodied Negroamaro and Primitivo stand out, perfect with meat dishes and cheeses. For a refreshing break, especially on hot summer afternoons, don’t miss the classic iced coffee with almond milk syrup, a Lecce speciality that combines the freshness of ice with the sweetness of almond milk, giving a unique, thirst-quenching taste.
