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‘Tis the Season for These Pugliese Holiday Treats

Dec 17 2019

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There are few things as beautiful as the ivory stone huts of Alberobello twinkling to life with the vibrant colors of Christmas lights. Lights festivals across Puglia offer up stunning decorations, beautiful Christmas trees and charming ice-skating rinks. The smell of fried sugar and freshly baked cakes beckon you like Sirens to the area’s Christmas markets. Simply put, Puglia at Christmastime is a real-life fairy tale. 

As with most festivities, food is the centerpiece. And we can all agree that Italians certainly know how to cook; therefore, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to find that the holidays are no different when it comes to the smorgasbord of delicious, drool-worthy dishes served up in the sunny southern heel of Italy. Here are just some traditional sweet and savory Pugliese dishes and treats made throughout the holiday season. 

Pettole 

Pettole are little drops of fried leavened dough bliss that are boiled in extra virgin olive oil and then rolled in salt. These simple but delicious fried dough balls can be served plain or stuffed with fish, cheese or vegetables. Of course, pettole are highly versatile, so they can also be rolled in sugar if you’re craving something sweet. Either way, we’re pretty sure you can’t go wrong with this tasty holiday amuse bouche. 

Cartellate 

Life’s short so let’s talk about dessert first. Puglia is known for its breads, among so many other wonderful culinary delights; therefore, it should come as no surprise that many of the holiday treats are dough-based. Enter cartellate, a deep-fried pastry wheel cooked in white wine and then dipped in honey, sugar and cinnamon powder (are you drooling yet?). Is there anything that could possibly sound more heavenly? Yea, we didn’t think so. 

Purcidduzzi

Similar to pettole but traditionally sweet, purcidduzzi is a dish of fried balls made from sweet yeast dough that are stacked pyramid-like on a plate where they are then generously drizzled with honey and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. You’ll find some amazing towering plates of purcidduzi in Puglia during the holiday season. It’s also enjoyed well into the New Year, because why restrict such a delicious treat to Christmas only?

Capitone (Eel) 

Every region throughout Italy has their own traditional cuisine that they prepare on Christmas Eve based off the local ingredients and delicacies. In Puglia, you’ll find that it’s rather common to eat capitone (eel) around Christmas. Some regions fry the eel, while you’re more likely to find it stewed or baked with olive oil and tomato sauce in Puglia.

Whether you want to try your hand at making some of these delicious seasonal treats or you just want to add a little decadence to your holiday feasts with some Pugliese kitchen staples, we can definitely help with that.  Our caciocavallo podolico is the perfect complement for any holiday cheese board, our honey is perfect for drizzling on…well, just about everything, and our olive oil is the everyday pantry item you need to elevate and transform a salad, baked fish or even some home-baked bread. Let our Italian traditions inspire your next meal this holiday season. 

 

Posted by Editor · Categorized: General

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Especially Puglia
We have three #gifts for just about anyone... one We have three #gifts for just about anyone... one for foodies, one for the cheese lover, and one for your sweetie with a sweet tooth. What about your co-workers? Our boxes are perfect also as #corporategift options for your colleagues or clients. We ship promptly - just make sure to get your order in so we can send it out in time for the Holidays!
Our #honey is special - it's produced organically Our #honey is special - it's produced organically on family-run farms where artisanal beekeepers source honey from wild or organic floral sources. The bees work hard to produce a sweet nectar that is deserving of packaging that honors their work. In comes #Furoshiki - or the Japanese art of wrapping gifts in cloth. We wrap each order in a bee printed tea towel. This Holiday season why not #gift someone something sweet?

Get your order in ASAP - we want your gifts to arrive in time for the big day!
What in the world is a phytonutrient? Phytonutrien What in the world is a phytonutrient? Phytonutrients are the amazing chemicals produced by plants that can support your #health. Common phytonutrients that you might recognize by name are flavonoids and resveratrol (both found in red wine). #Honey is a #phytonutrient powerhouse! In fact, we have these phytonutrients to thank for making honey an antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant-rich treat. Phytonutrients may help to supercharge your immune system, which we probably could use more of this time of year.

Wanna know more? We just published a blog post all about raw honey. Paste the link in bio or below to find out more!

https://bit.ly/3lsnlIj
We are so excited for the Holidays and want to gif We are so excited for the Holidays and want to gift three lucky people a tasting size olive oil tin from the 2020 Harvest! Our olive oil is produced organically on family-run farms where olives are grown sustainably, handpicked, pressed and bottled during the autumn harvest season.⠀
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To enter:⠀
- Follow @EspeciallyPuglia on IG and Facebook⠀
- Like this image⠀
- Tag 2 friends in the comments below! Each tag counts as an entry. Unlimited entries.⠀
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No purchase necessary. Giveaway ends December 7 at 12AM EST. Three winners will be chosen. The winners will be contacted via DM. Must be 18+ and located within the USA (excluding Hawaii & Alaska) to win - in bocca al lupo!
#giveaway
Happy Holidays from Especially Puglia to you and y Happy Holidays from Especially Puglia to you and your loved ones! Our unique Adopt an Olive Tree Box is a perfect gift for that special someone, the foodie in your family, your mom, your nonna... just about anyone! A 3 liter tin of olive oil from the grove of your choosing, a handcrafted cruet and a helpful funnel come in a hand crafted wooden crate. 

Our 2020 Harvest is on its way from Italy and starts shipping in the second week of December, so act fast to have that special gift for before the Holidays!
#giftguide #gifts #oliveoil #subscription
"How can people trust the harvest, unless they see "How can people trust the harvest, unless they see it sown?" - Mary Renault

The olive harvest is our favorite time of the year. Our 2020 Harvest was abundant - the weather conditions were fantastic, the amount of sunshine the olives got this year means a bountiful extra virgin olive oil. The fresher the oil, the better the flavor! We can't wait to share it with you this winter!

We are thankful for this year's harvest.
This just in! Our Pugliese Caciocavallo is back in This just in! Our Pugliese Caciocavallo is back in stock after "flying off the shelves." Caciocavallo podolico is a semi-hard, pasta filata (pulled-curd) #cheese made of cow's milk from the podolica cow. Hung on a rope and aged to perfection, this cheese is a #uniquegift. Order soon, because we just don't know how long these will stay in stock!
Our olive oil tin is the perfect container for kee Our olive oil tin is the perfect container for keeping the oil at peak #freshness, protecting it from the sun and oxygen, and preventing spoilage. When you buy olive oil, always look for the “harvest date” - the fresher the better. #oliveoil #giftidea #gift
#Oliveoil in #cocktails? Yup, it's a thing and we #Oliveoil in #cocktails? Yup, it's a thing and we love it. Especially Puglia's EVOO #Gimlet is sure to rock your Thanksgiving #cocktail menu. We specifically chose San Giusto because the oil is a #monocultivar made of Coratina olives. In other words it is made from one olive varietal - not a blend. The oil's bitterness and robust notes of green almond are complimented by the sweetness in the honey syrup and carried by the gin. Try it and tell us what you think!

-1.5 oz Gin
-1/2 oz lime juice
-1/4 oz Masseria San Giusto Olive Oil
-1/4 oz Honey Syrup

Method: Shake in a shaker and strain over ice in a cocktail coupe. Garnish with a lime peel.
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