Abruzzo

Abruzzo’s high elevation accounts for the region’s fresh mountain spring water (said to be the secret to its amazing pasta), and the only climate in Italy able to produce saffron, one of the world’s most highly prized spices. Famed for its dried pastas, Abruzzo, and well-known for Spaghetti All’Amatriciana, from the town of Amatrice often served with peperoncini, the region’s liberally used chili powder, as in the simple dish spaghetti all’aglio, olio e peperoncino. Abruzzo also lays claim to Torrone Abruzzese filled with hazelnuts and covered in chocolate, their own version of the centuries-old nougat candy.