Sunday 6 July 2014

Food from Local Farms

The Agro Pontino is an agricultural area. It was inhospitable marshland up until the 1920s. The land was drained and reclaimed, settled by farmers from the north of Italy. This explains why Northern Italian food often appears on restaurant menus in the area. The Italian Fascist government organised the farmers, gave them a house, land, some animals and farming machinery. Nowadays it is an area of very fertile land where many crops are grown: tomatoes, peppers, melons etc. The area is also known for its buffalo mozzarella and other cheeses such as ricotta and provola.

Some farms sell their produce directly to the public. This includes vegetables, fruit as well as cheeses and meats. Some farms have little shops attached and some also have no-frills restaurants. I have listed some of them here so you can try them out for yourselves. It's worth mentioning that locals go to the farms to buy produce, so they aren't tourist traps. Prices aren't dirt cheap - it's the freshness and wonderful quality that you're buying.

In Borgo Vodice towards the Via Appia:

CASEIFICIO LAURETTI

54, V. Migliara - 04014 Pontinia (LT)

tel: 0773 852204,0773 850096

They specialise in a range of organic cheeses. They also let members of the public visit their dairy to see how the cheese is made. Ask about times and they will let you know.

Across the Via Appia:

ALAN FARM

169, V. Migliara 51 Sinistra - 04014 Pontinia (LT)

tel: 327 6957856,0773 850147

I wondered if there was an English connection with this British sounding name - but there is none. No one I spoke to knew where the name came from. There was a grill restaurant opening up here in 2013 specialising in lots of different meats. Check that it is still open as these set-ups often come and go.

There are many Caseifici in the area. Many specialise in cheeses, but also sell more products. They often have big signs advertising where they are. It really is worth going to have a look at what they sell.

Organic Honey

Miele Maiero

Via Migliara 54

Borgo Vodice

I love this place and it's one of my first stops every time I visit. I know the lady who owns the hives and she is really lovely. They produce a range of honeys - eucalyptus, orange blossom, acacia, chestnut. They also sell honey grappa.

 

 

 

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