Basilicata

Like Calabria, Basilicata is situated in a mountain range and, due the mountains, the region is very poor. However, even though it is poor, they have very strong traditions, comparing almost to Sardegna.

Sadly, only two percent of the total land is made up of Flat land, sadly causing farming to be all but good. So, they stick to fishing and growing grapes for wine in this region. With both of these, comes a strong tradition both. In terms of Fishing, old techniques of catching fish are still being used today, and Grapes are still being produced on terraces built by monks in the early 1000s, creating a unique view on wine from this area of Italy.

Since the region is poor and has mountains surrounding the country, much of the cuisine is hearty and full of different starches and vegetables. An example of this is the Cialedda, which is a stew that is made with many different vegetables and starches, such as cabbage, carrots, chickpeas and beans that are grown in Basilicata. Along with the stew, they are known for eating something called the Gnumeredde, which is the innards of a lamb, pig or cow, that are wrapped in the Large intestine and grilled. This dish shows the rustic and the culture both, as they want to use all of the animal.

Even though the region is poor, the people are rich in culture and beliefs, allowing them to survive this area for so many years. Through culture, beliefs are born, and they still strongly believe that the region is the best in all of Italy.