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Valentine’s day… in Puglia!

Feb 14 2023

Credits to Happily on the Road

Valentine’s day is commonly known, in the modern world, as the yearly event in which lovers express their romantic affection for each other. It is known as an ancient tradition, dating back to 1500 years ago and before that, to the Ancient Roman times, with Lupercàlia: these were three sacred days dedicated to the fertility god, or faun, Luperculus, dedicated to a much more erotic love, as women used to get naked in the streets and practice sexual rites with men, that was to be later ended by a pope. But where this tradition comes from and why is it celebrated this day? This tradition comes from historical events tied to Saint Valentine from Terni: he was the Bishop of Terni and used to protect lovers, encouraging them to get together even if they were part of a different religions and social classes. That is why he was beheaded by order of the emperor Aurelianus and this is why it began, a celebration still lasting and very important all over the world, be it laic or religious.

What about Vico del Gargano and why is it related to it?

In Puglia, there is a city called Vico del Gargano, where this day is not only a love display, but also its patronal day. This medieval town, or hamlet, is very important, thanks to its olive and citrus groves, especially composed by orange groves. The latters and their fruit are considered an IGP product, i.e. a protected geographical identificated product. The patron saint of this town used to be Norbertus, celebrated on June 6, but in 1600 a terrible frost hit the town and its farmers, killing the cultivations.

Because of that, people asked their bishop to change the holy man that used to be celebrated, deciding for Saint Valentine, for two main reasons: the first is the period, that is essential for the ripening of olives and oranges; the second one is the belief that orange juice was capable of magic: it was considered an elixir of love that made love last longer; this was thought in the Middle Age and later on, because these fruits have a long lifespan: they can last till 40 days after their harvest, indeed.

A festival for Valentine’s day

Today, Vico del Gargano is decorated and adorned with heart-shaped red balloons, as a symbol of love, laurel branches, as an ancient sign of prosperity and knowledge and obviously with the town’s oranges, typical in Vico. One of the narrow streets in the town is called Vicolo del Bacio meaning Kiss Alley: this is one of the most decorated part of Vico, while another important spot is the Well of Promises. The ongoing tradition is a ritual, in which two people should be kissing each other inside the alley: doing that is believed to magically give the lovers a long-lasting relationship. And after this ritual, people can also go to the well of promises to renew their love promises.

Photo credits to Happily on the Road

Obviously, during this festivity, people can also find typical products: it is possible to try the paposcia, that is an Apulian word defining a kind of sandwich made with focaccia or pizza-style bread and that can be filled with whichever food people want, especially it being apulian fresh produces. And for people who have a sweet tooth, they can have the famous dolce della sposa, litterally meaning bride’s dessert, that is a soft sponge cake pastry covered with different icings.

Happy Valentine’s day

In conclusion, Valentine’s Day is a rooted tradition and a custom coming from a distant past, that spread all over the world in time, perhaps thanks to its main topic, love. Love is a feeling that all ages have in common and that is why this festivity will not die very soon, going on for so much time again. Even though in Italia is not celebrated so much, if you go to Puglia, Valentine’s day is not only very important, but can also be a magical and ritual event! Buon San Valentino a tutti!

Posted by Editor · Categorized: General, Seasonality, Visit Puglia · Tagged: Apulia, Especially Puglia, festival, fresh, history, Puglia, seasonal, tradition, valentine's day, Vico del Gargano, winter

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Especially Puglia
💚❤️ Happy Valentine's Day to you all! Toda 💚❤️ Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

Today, we take you to a town in Puglia, called Vico del Gargano, where Valentine's Day is also the festa patronale (or patronal festival, that is a celebration dedicated to the holy Saint protecting a town). Here, people from Vico celebrate Saint Valentine as their holy protector: he is also considered by people the preserver of oranges and olives and there is an interesting story behind it.

Check the link in our bio and story to read about our new blog article! 💚❤️

#Puglia #pugliese #Apulian #valentinesday #VicodelGargano #history #patronalfestival #foodie #NewYork #NewYorkCity #italianfood #Italy #apulianfood #regionalfood #typical #traditional photo credits to @happilyontheroad
🥬🫘 Fava beans and chicory: what brings them 🥬🫘 Fava beans and chicory: what brings them together? 

The answer is simple: tradition. Especially an ancient Pugliese tradition, that comes from ancient times, being used since the times of the Greek dominion in Southern Italy.

Fava beans are made into a purè and chicory is stewed with flavors, resulting in this common and simple dish, considered by many people a comfort food; but don’t get us wrong, it is also very nutritious! It is rich in useful substances that can improve your immunity system. When you’re down, it can lift you up! 🥬🫘 

If you want to know more about it, click the link in bio or our story to read our latest blog article! 📖

#Puglia #pugliese #Apulian #favabeans #chicory #comfortfood #fave #cicoria #foodie #NewYork #NewYorkCity #italianfood #Italy #apulianfood #regionalfood #typical #traditional
🍸🧀🥓🍕 Everyone knows about the Italian- 🍸🧀🥓🍕 Everyone knows about the Italian-style aperitivo, a before-dinner tradition in which people drink wine, a soft drink or cocktail and eat some snacks or appetizers to pair it.

Well, in Puglia aperitivo is even better! We usually eat fresh regional products, mainly cured meat and cheese: snacks like mozzarella fiordilatte, caciocavallo, capocollo with some taralli and a slice of focaccia pugliese.

Have you ever tried it? Share your ideas for the best aperitivo, with the products you love! 🍸🧀🥓🍕 

#Puglia #pugliese #Apulian #aperitivo #happyhour #curiosity #foodie #NewYork #NewYorkCity #Italy #typical #traditional photo credits to @pugliafoodblog
💚 Do you know Pietramontecorvino? It is a medi 💚 Do you know Pietramontecorvino?

It is a medieval town, or borgo, in Puglia, known as one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy. This small town is in the Foggia province, nearby the Dauni mountains and it is rich with history, culture and traditions, not only related to food. 

Plus, it is also our founder Michele's birthtown, where he grew up and his interest for food and culture sparked, a starting point to Especially Puglia.

When you walk these streets, you can find yourself in another dimension, in an ancient past that is still alive and kicking today. It's definitely one of the must-see places in Puglia. 💚

#Puglia #pugliese #Apulian #Pietramontecorvino #curiosity #history #foodie #NewYork #NewYorkCity #Italy #typical #traditional
🍪 Do you know the taralli pugliesi? They are 🍪 Do you know the taralli pugliesi? 

They are a typical kind of Apulian salty biscuits, a very popular food in our region, that is also famously eaten all over the Italian peninsula.

Legend says that they were born in the XV century, because of a bread famine that hit Puglia: that is why Italian housewives decided to prepare a substitute to it, by using what they had available at home.

Their dough is made with olive oil, wheat flour and water, but it can also be seasoned with fennel seeds, onions, olives, cheese and pepper and rosemary. 🍪

#Puglia #pugliese #Apulian #taralli #tarallini #curiosity #history #foodie #NewYork #NewYorkCity #italianfood #Italy #apulianfood #regionalfood #typical #traditional
❄️🥦 Winter in Puglia means turnip greens se ❄️🥦 Winter in Puglia means turnip greens season! But what are they? 

They are the non-bloomed flowers of the turnip, very common in our cuisine and they can be used in many ways: the most common is to use them as the main ingredient for orecchiette con le cime di rapa, a pillar of this regional gastronomy!

They are also rich in useful substances, such as vitamins, minerals and polyphenols and they taste bitter and pungent, giving a nice flavor to the food preparations. So, what are you waiting for? You should definitely try them out! ❄️🥦

Check the link in our bio and story to read our latest blog article. 📝

#Puglia #pugliese #Apulian #cimedirapa #turnipgreens #orecchiette #pasta #foodie #NewYork #NewYorkCity #italianfood #Italy #apulianfood #regionalfood #typical #traditional photo credits: @pugliakitchen
The final day of 2022 is upon us. Here are Especi The final day of 2022 is upon us.  Here are Especially Puglia we wish you many great moments, meals, and memories in 2023.  Click the link in bio to sign up for our Newsletter and learn about upcoming experiences in Puglia.  Make this a year to remember and get closer to the ingredients that you love.  Join one of our culinary tours this Spring and Fall and see Italy like you've never seen it before.
2023 is only two days away. Company holiday parti 2023 is only two days away.  Company holiday parties, white elephants, and last minute gifts?  Our digital gift cards allow your friends and coworkers to choose from our Apulian honey, our incredible Extra Virgin Olive Oils and more. Link in bio to make someone's New Year!
There's nothing quite like Italy for Christmas. T There's nothing quite like Italy for Christmas.  The many holiday foods, markets and festivities bring Solento, the very heel of the boot, to life.  From beautiful nativity scenes in Specchia to handmade puppet fairs in Lecce, Puglia offers a beacon of light during the darkest month of the year.  Dreaming of Italy? Plan your next vacation to Puglia and join us on culinary tours this spring and fall.  Link in bio to inquire!
This year's EVOO harvest arrives in just a few wee This year's EVOO harvest arrives in just a few weeks. Pre-order now through our Adopt an Olive Tree program and receive a digital certificate of adoption that your loved ones can open on Christmas Day!  Link in bio to make those last minute gifts count!
For friends who enjoy a little sweetness in their For friends who enjoy a little sweetness in their life, send our Pugliese honey this holiday season.  Our apiaries are home to bees that feast on acacia flowers, orange blossoms and sunflowers to name a few - imparting a variety of bouquets upon the flavors of the honeys. Link in bio to check off Santa's list!
Still in need of holiday gifts this season? Pre-o Still in need of holiday gifts this season?  Pre-order the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Harvest of 2022 inbounding this January.  Link in bio to order!
These “little ears” or orecchiette, are the re These “little ears” or orecchiette, are the renowned pasta of Puglia and a true national treasure.  Walk through the streets of Bari and you will find pasta grannies folding the little morsels by hand at lightening fast speed.  Enjoy them with a pomodoro sauce or cime di rapa - Cucina povera at it's finest.  Link in bio to sign up to our newsletter and get more Italian inspiration straight to your inbox!
White Lotus season finale has you dreaming of a va White Lotus season finale has you dreaming of a vacation to Italy?  Join Especially Puglia for a tour of the heel, exploring its history and Baroque architecture, its natural beauty from beaches to olive groves, and the many wonderful culinary traditions from EVOO, to mozzarella to orecchiette.  Link in bio to inquire about a trip to Puglia this spring or fall Harvest 2023!
The holiday season is upon us and Especially Pugli The holiday season is upon us and Especially Puglia has all the gift ideas in store.  Sign up for our Newsletter for new inspiration every week.  Link in bio to get all of the details straight to your inbox.
Pre-orders are now open for this season's olive oi Pre-orders are now open for this season's olive oil harvest!  Choose from one of five masserias we work with across Puglia.  Each masseria has it's own distinct flavor profile resulting from their chosen varietals and the unique terroir of their orchards.  The farmers we support work hard to protect the land and trees to provide the best possible ingredient. The single-source extra virgin olive oils we make from their trees are the essential addition to your pantry - elevating everything they touch. Link in bio to pre-order!
Olive oil is undoubtedly one of the most common co Olive oil is undoubtedly one of the most common condiments found on our dining tables; yet, it is sometimes avoided and viewed as unhealthy. On the contrary, studies prove that the fatty acids and antioxidants found in olive oil offer several health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease. 

With the new year right around the corner, why not make a resolution to do something good for your health and for the palate.  Our new harvest of small producer Apulian EVOO - an iconic region for olive oil production - is ready for you!

Click the link in bio to read more about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil and preorder the new harvest of Apulian EVOO by clicking the link in photo!
Need ideas for your New Years gathering?! Be like Need ideas for your New Years gathering?! Be like the Italians, and follow your antipasti course with Cotechino and Lenticchie.  This dish is composed of braised lentils with rich cotechino pork sausage that originates in Emilia Romagna.  The legend goes that those who eat these coin-shaped legumes will have prosperity in the new year, and the more you eat the better!
Happy Boxing Day everyone! We hope you had a wonde Happy Boxing Day everyone! We hope you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. Remember the new harvest is here! 

Enjoy the freshest experience when our EVOO arrives right off the boat mid-January.  Olive oil is the very best when it is enjoyed fresh from the press so place your orders soon or DM for more details.
The festive season is magical anywhere, but even m The festive season is magical anywhere, but even more so in Salento. Towns and villages come alive with street markets and exhibitions full of treats, handicrafts, and traditions unique to the region and the season. Full of carefully displayed nativity scenes, beautiful sunny days and mouth-watering candy dishes, Southern Italy really is the place to be during Christmas time. Click the link in bio to read more about their Christmas traditions. 

And remember whether you want to try making some traditional Apulian dishes for you and your family, or you just want to add a little Italian touch to your holiday feasts and festivities, we can help.  Especially Puglia’s olive oil and other artisan products are the perfect addition to your pantry and a gracious gift for the holidays.  Click the link in photo to shop!
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