L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020 www.italoamericano.org 26 L'Italo-Americano I f offerings of Italy's b e s t a t t r i b u t e s enjoyed without the hustle-bustle fervor of too many crowds appeal to you, Le Marche may be just what the travel a g e n t o r d e r e d . A d i v e r s e region encompassing about 3 , 7 0 0 s q u a r e m i l e s , L e Marche (or Marche) has tra- ditionally played a bit part on the Italian tourism stage. Overshadowed by Tuscany t o t h e w e s t , E m i l i a - Romagna to the north, and Lazio (Rome) to the south, this region has only recently begun to qualify as a sought- a f t e r t o u r i s t d e s t i n a t i o n . Full of Italian dolce vita, Le Marche pretty much has it all! A country of two halves, Marche's gentle hills and miles of coastline fill the e a s t e r n h a l f , w h i l e t h e A p e n n i n e M o u n t a i n s dominate the west. Although their highest peaks aren't too impressive, the barrier has historically made access challenging, thus keeping out the hordes of day trip- pers and tour busses. But l i k e t h e s l o w f o o d m o v e - ment, travel with a focus of b e i n g p r e s e n t i n t h e moment has gained momen- tum; mindful travelers are drawn to Le Marche's untar- nished authenticity. It's not hard to under- stand why. Pebbled beaches, p i c t u r e s q u e h i l l t o w n s , amazing provincial cuisine and wine, rolling hillsides of vineyards and olives, plenty of history, and even a hand- ful of emerald green lakes and rivers are found within Le Marche's zig-zag borders. And nicely so…a lot fewer crowds to share them with! A l t h o u g h L e M a r c h e ' s c h a r m s a r e a b u n d a n t , a short-list look will allow an enticing peek into some of what makes this region so captivating. The Beaches With her entire eastern border hugging the Adriatic Sea, Le Marche is a haven of s t u n n i n g b e a c h e s . T h e coastline is home to 15 Blue Flag beaches, those presti- gious destinations that have met stringent environmental criteria. The northern-most s h o r e s s u c h a s t h o s e i n Fano or Senigallia offer abundant stretches of white s a n d b e a c h e s a l o n g s i d e turquoise waters. Plentiful amenities and easy access draw families from across the region. Further south, Conero Natural Park is a paradise of unspoiled beau- ty, rocky shores, and hidden beaches ideal for windsurf- ing or kayaking. Marche's shoreline has a number of difficult to reach beaches accessible only by footpath or by sea such as these in Conero. A by-product of the ancestral fishing culture, these secluded spots once known only to the pescato- ri (fishermen) now blend nicely with leisure seeking activities. If a more happen- ing scene is your preferred style, the "Palm Riviera" of San Bendetto del Tronto may appeal. The festive, p a l m l i n e d m a i n a v e n u e offers restaurants, shops, and hotels skirting an equal- l y l o n g a n d l i v e l y p e b b l y beach. Cuisine Le Marche's typical cui- sine is virtually unknown o u t s i d e o f h e r b o r d e r s . A f t e r a l l , w i t h n e i g h b o r s s u c h a s E m i l i a - R o m a g n a and Tuscany, the competi- tion is tough! Local special- t i e s a b o u n d i n M a r c h e – m e m o r y - m a k e r s f o r t h e palate. Seafood is a star, natural- ly. The unique flavor of the mosciolo – a mussel found o n l y a l o n g L e M a r c h e ' s c o a s t – o r b r o d e t t o , a hearty fish stew whose pur- p o s e w a s t o n o t w a s t e a thing from the day's catch, are worthy of special men- tion. Deep-frying thrives in Marche. Ample platters of just about anything friable a r e f r e q u e n t l y s h a r e d amongst diners. However, the star delicacy has to be olive all'Ascolana – king- sized green olives stuffed with seasoned ground meat, battered in breadcrumbs, and deep fried. These alone are worth the trip! Grilled meats, often small game, are plentiful. In fact, the people o f M a r c h e d e v o u r m o r e meat per-person than any o t h e r r e g i o n i n I t a l y ! Proscuitto di Carpegna DOP, sausages, and various sheep and cow milk cheeses are readily found, including t h e p r o t e c t e d C a s c i o t t a d'Urbino cheese, said to have been Michelangelo's favorite. Pasta is a star play- er, as well. Maccheroncini D i s c o v e r L e M a r c h e : e x p l o r i n g authentic Italy PAULA REYNOLDS d i C a m p o f i l o n e , L e Marche's famous thin-cut egg pasta, is the only pasta in all of Italy to be awarded E U p r o t e c t e d s t a t u s . Traditionally served with a s m o t h e r i n g o f r a g ù M a r c h i a g i a n o , a s a u c e derived from a combination of available meats, this pasta has held royal status since the 15 th century. A fan of truffles? Add Acqualagna to your itinerary – known nationally as the Capital of T r u f f l e s . A u t u m n i n L e Marche brings on the hunt for these pricey blobs of dis- tinctive flavor, along with festivals and memory mak- ing meals of gossamer thin truffle shavings enjoyed over Continued to page 28 Piazza life in Le Marche: lively and fun, but without the crowds of more well known destinations (Photo: Gun75/Dreamstime) LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE

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