Food & Wine: Fish
Popular Fish Recipes
Le Marche, a region in Italy known for its rich seafood culture, offers a variety of popular fish recipes. Here are some of the most loved fish dishes in Le Marche:
1. Brodetto
Le Marche's version of brodetto is a classic fish stew. It typically includes various types of fish and seafood, cooked in a tomato-based broth with white wine, garlic, and saffron. It's often served with toasted bread and a garlic-flavored mayonnaise called "salsa all'anconetana."
4. Mussels alla marinara
Mussels are prepared in a marinara sauce, which typically includes tomatoes, garlic, parsley, and white wine. This dish showcases the fresh and delicious flavors of the sea.
2. Fish and Shellfish Pasta
Le Marche offers a wide variety of pasta dishes featuring seafood. Freshly caught fish and shellfish are often combined with homemade pasta, resulting in mouthwatering dishes like seafood linguine or spaghetti alle vongole (with clams).
5. Fish Risotto
Le Marche offers delicious seafood risotto dishes, often featuring a combination of local fish and shellfish cooked with Arborio or Carnaroli rice, resulting in a creamy and flavourful dish.
3. Scapece di Vasto
Scapece is a popular dish in the coastal town of Vasto. It involves frying small fish, often anchovies, then marinating them in a mixture of vinegar, saffron, and various spices. It's served cold and offers a unique flavor.
6. Stuffed Squid (Sugo Ripieno)
Squid is often stuffed with a mixture of breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and herbs, then simmered in a tomato sauce. It's a delightful dish that combines seafood with savoury stuffing.
7. Fritto Misto di Pesce
A common sight in Le Marche, this is a mixed seafood and fish fry. Various seafood, including squid, shrimp, and small fish, are coated in a light batter and deep-fried to perfection.
8. Stoccafisso all'Anconitana
This dish features salted codfish (stoccafisso) cooked with onions, tomatoes, and various seasonings, creating a flavorful and hearty fish preparation.
9. Seppie al Nero
Squid is cooked in its ink, creating a unique and flavorful sauce that is typically served over pasta.
10. Baccalà alla Mugnaia
This dish features salted codfish, which is desalted, then pan-fried with garlic and olive oil. It's a simple but delicious preparation.
Image courtesy of Andrea Mignucci
These fish recipes reflect the rich maritime heritage of Le Marche and showcase the region's love for fresh and flavourful seafood. When visiting Le Marche, be sure to try these dishes to experience the authentic flavours of the Adriatic.
Fish Festivals
Le Marche is known for its rich seafood traditions, and it hosts several popular fish festivals throughout the year. These coastal towns in Le Marche celebrate their local seafood heritage through these fish festivals, which highlight the diverse array of fish and seafood available in the Adriatic Sea.
These fish festivals in Le Marche celebrate the region's abundant seafood resources, its culinary heritage, and the coastal culture. The dates of these festivals may vary slightly from year to year, so it's advisable to check with local authorities or event organizers for the most current information.
Here's an overview of some of the most popular fish festivals in Le Marche:
1. Festival dell'Alborella (Festival of Bleak)
Location: Porto San Giorgio, Fermo Province.
Type of Fish: Ambarella, a small freshwater fish, is the star of this festival. It's typically fried and served in various creative ways.
Calendar: The festival usually takes place in July, offering a taste of this local delicacy and featuring live music, dancing, and entertainment.
2. Festival del Pesce e del Mare (Fish and Seafood Festival)
Location: Fano, Pesaro and Urbino Province.
Type of Fish: A wide variety of fish and seafood from the Adriatic Sea are celebrated, including clams, mussels, and various types of fish.
Calendar: This event occurs annually in August and showcases an extensive fish market, culinary demonstrations, and a lively maritime atmosphere.
3. Festival della Sardella e della Cozza (Sardella and Mussels Festival)
Location: Ancona, Ancona Province.
Type of Fish: Sardella (a small sardine) and mussels are the stars of this festival, often prepared in a variety of traditional dishes.
Calendar: Typically held in July, it features a seafood market, live music, and cultural activities.
4. Festival del Calamaro e del Brodetto (Squid and Fish Stew Festival)
Location: Porto Recanati, Macerata Province.
Type of Fish: Calamari and a variety of seafood are used in making the traditional brodetto, a flavorful fish stew.
Calendar: This festival usually occurs in August and showcases culinary contests, music, and, of course, the delicious brodetto.
7. Fish Festival of San Benedetto del Tronto
Location: San Benedetto del Tronto, Ascoli Piceno Province.
Type of Fish: Offers a variety of fresh fish from the Adriatic Sea, including sole, cuttlefish, and other local catches.
Calendar: The festival is often celebrated in August, featuring a bustling fish market, cooking demonstrations, and entertainment along the promenade.
5. Festival del Pesce (Fish Festival)
Location: Senigallia, Ancona Province.
Type of Fish: A diverse range of fish and seafood, with a particular emphasis on local catches from the Adriatic.
Calendar: Held in early September, this festival features a bustling fish market, culinary competitions, and a lively atmosphere along the seaside promenade.
6. Cuprense Fish Festival
Location: Cupra Marittima, Ascoli Piceno Province.
Type of Fish: A diverse selection of Adriatic fish and seafood, often including anchovies, sardines, and other local catches.
Calendar: The festival is typically held in the summer months, often in July or August, featuring fish-based dishes, cultural events, and live entertainment.
8. Grottammare Fish Festival
Location: Grottammare, Ascoli Piceno Province.
Type of Fish: Focuses on a range of local seafood, highlighting dishes with mussels, clams, and other Adriatic fish varieties.
Calendar: Usually held in the summer season, commonly in July or August, featuring gastronomic events, music, and cultural celebrations.
Image courtesy of Andrea Mignucci
Image courtesy of Andrea Mignucci
Image courtesy of Andrea Mignucci
Image courtesy of Andrea Mignucci
