Marche
Le Marche is mostly an agricultural region and is extremely green. Le
Marche is located in the middle of north of Italy on the Adriatic coast,
180 km of coastline and a population of 1,426,000. It is divided into
four provinces. To the west of the Ascoli Piceno and Macerata provinces
are the impressive Sibillini mountains, (often spelt Sibylline in English)
a 40 kilometre range with several peaks the western side of which runs
down into Umbria. The Sibillinis make up the regions National Park and
Nature Reserve. From this mountain range, hills roll eastwards towards
the coast. The driving distance between the mountains and the beaches
is approximately 1 Hour. The area is dotted with small towns and quaint
villages perched on wooded hilltops, mostly with historic centers built
in local stone.
Le marche enjoys of sun, mountains, grottos, lakes, sea and beaches.
Wood cladded slopes, farmland, medieval towns and villages. Skiing, horse
riding, climbing, cycling, rambling and hang gliding. Art, architecture,
museums castles and forts. Art, good food and wine. All to be found in
one fascinating region as Le Marche.
The food of Le Marche shares from the generosity of the sea as well as the farm. Brodetto is a famous kind of fish stew of the Adriatic coast and varies in form from each coastal town. The Le Marche versions of Brodetto include red and gray mullet, cuttlefish or squid (or both), oil, garlic and saffron - served on either fried or toasted bread. Other seafood favorites include the port of Ancona's Stoccafisso (dried codfish, which is not native to the Mediterranean), and local varieties like sole, bream, clams and mussels, etc. Favorite meats include veal, rabbit, game birds (quail, pigeon), chicken and goose. Both meats and fish are normally done either in a porchetta form using fennel, garlic and rosemary or potacchio (with onion, tomato, white wine and rosemary). Pecorino is the most preferred cheese of Le Marche but Casciotta d'Urbino is also popular. Le Marche desserts are not very sweet and often use sweetened cheeses like Ricotta or Pecorino as ingredients such as Calcioni and Piconi. Other desserts include a Pizza Dolce, or sweet Pizza and Frustenga, a cake made with raisins, figs and walnuts.