Puglia - Finally
/The trip to Puglia with family that was cancelled by the pandemic is now fully booked. Pretty excited to travel in one of the few regions of Italy where I have not visited. After two days of eating tapas in Madrid and a night in Rome, we’ll spend the rest of the trip in Puglia and Basilicata.
Much of what Americans consider to be “Italian” food are dishes from Southern Italy. Pizza was invented in Naples, Campania is the country’s breadbasket and pasta likely is from here, in addition to all of the other Southern charms: eggplant parmesan, burrata and insalata caprese.
The South is the poorest region in the country and it was ruled by several cultures who left their mark on the cuisine of Puglia and Basilicata. The Greeks and the Arabs probably had the most impact, as did the system of latifundium (basically a feudal system of large farms owned by absentee landlords and worked by slaves or indentured servants).
While Puglia has six provinces, a Chef once said that the region is divided by those who cook with garlic (Bari & Foggia) and those who prefer onions (Salento).
In Puglia the Greeks left distinctive architecture (trulli) and the pillars of Italian food: oil, wine and grains. The Arabs brought eggplants, bitter oranges and refined cane sugar.
In addition to producing most of Italy’s grain for pasta and bread, Puglia produces more olive oil and wine than any other part of the country.
The wines of Puglia are dominated by Primitivo (related to Zinfandel), with the Salento Peninsula surrounded by the Ionian and Adriatic Seas being one of the most notable areas. The warm weather, ocean breezes, and mix of the clay and limestone soil produces rich, intense reds. In addition to Primitivos, we’ll search out Negroamaro and Nero di Troia. All of these grapes are making vibrant rosé.
From Bari we’ll head north to Vieste and the Gargano Peninsula, which some call the undiscovered Amalfi Coast. After a few days exploring the forests and coast, we’ll head south to Matera in Basilicata. After several decades of neglect, Matera has become a tourist mecca for food, ancient cave dwellings and frescoes. Bring on the huge sourdough loaves called Pane di Matera. Will they be as good as M’tucci’s sourdough?
Returning to Puglia near Alberobello and Locorotondo, we’ll stay in one of area’s unique trulli houses, the bee-hive shaped stone houses that date back centuries. The stones are stacked without mortar, reportedly so they could be quickly disassembled when the tax man was coming to assess the taxes for the feudal lord or king.
I’m looking forward to meals starting with soppressata or capocollo, followed by orecchiette with bitter greens and pork, then fresh seafood from the Adriatic and the Gulf of Taranto, or lamb from small mountain farms.
The ring-shaped cracker that is usually flavored with olive oil and rosemary, taralli, are found everywhere (and on the Charcuterie Boards at M’tucci’s Moderno). Orecchiette is the favorite pasta in the area, sauced in different ways, but quite often with bitter greens called rapini or turnip tops here, but known as rapa in Puglia.
The sea on either side of the Salento Peninsula (the heel of the boot) is rich with shellfish, notably mussels. In many places they are packed with seasoned bread crumbs and deep fried. We might go to Otranto to find the version stuffed with a mixture of tuna, eggs, bread crumbs and pecorino and simmered in a tomato broth. We will definitely visit the west side of the peninsula for cozze all tarantina at the port/harbor town of Taranto, known for their mussels. So tasty, they are usually simmered in a simple broth of olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, chile flakes and white wine. Enjoy different preparations of mussels at M’tucci’s Italian and M’tucci’s Moderno.
M’tucci’s Anniversary Dinner @ Old Town Farm
July 20th
Dine under the stars to celebrate our 11th anniversary.
Menu and details coming soon!
M’tucci’s in the News
In a recent interview with Albuqeruque Business First, new APS Superintendent, Gabriella Durán Blakey, gave us a shoutout:
M’tucci’s Bar Roma & Teddy Roe’s Speakeasy listed as one of the leading spots in Nob Hill by United Airlines Hemispheres.
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Mushroom/Ricotta Ravioli - Blue Oyster Mushrooms, Crispy Morel Mushrooms, Pickled Chestnut Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Capers, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Porcini Lemon Cream Sauce, Arugula $27
14 oz. Ribeye - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $43
Pan-Seared Ruby Red Trout - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
Prosciutto and Prune Braised Pork Collar - Creamy Garlic Scape Pesto, Marinated Tomatoes, Arugula, Red Onions, Fusillini Pasta $27
Weekend Cocktail
Between Two Ferns - Roku Gin, Fernet Branca, Orgeat Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice, Pineapple Juice, Honey Simple Syrup, Angostura Bitters
M’tucci’s Moderno
6 oz. Black Angus Filet - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde $33
Pan-Seared Yellowtail - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $29
Beef Tips with Five Cheese Raviolini - Beef Tips, Grape Tomatoes, Cayenne Seasoning, Rosa Sauce, Rosa Sauce, Gorgonzola, Green Onions $25
Weekend Cocktail
Coco-Rita - Correlejos Reposado Tequila, St. Germaine, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Coconut Milk
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Mint Marinated Lamb Chops - Cucumber Dill Sauce, Grilled Zucchini, Roasted Red Bell Peppers & Shallots, Fried Capers, Roasted Garlic, Fennels Prawns & Mint Vinaigrette $38
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $29
8 oz. Picaña - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $33
Weekend Cocktail
Sage Advice- Illegal Joven Mezcal, Liquid Alchemist Blood Orange, Fresh Lime Juice, Sage Agave Syrup, Angostura Amaro, Fried Sage Leaf
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
10 oz. Gorgonzola-Crusted Wagyu Flank Steak - Roasted Broccolini & Red Bell Peppers, Red Wine Brodo Pecorino Risotto $37
Pan-Seared Ono - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Braised Arugula with Garlic, Seared Stem-on Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
Weekend Cocktail
Strawberry Delight - Tito’s Vodka, Lazzaroni Limoncello, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Muddled Strawberries & Fresh Basil, Sparkling Wine Float
Live Music for June
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday & Noon Sunday
6/23 Myles Chavez
6/26 Shane Wallin
6/30 RJ Perez
M’tucci’s Moderno - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
6/21 Jacob Chavez
6/27 Gilbert Uribe
6/28 RJ Perez
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
6/21 Robb Janov
6/27 Shane Wallin
6/28 Myles Chavez
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
