| Calabria is the toe of the Italian boot. It is located | | | | An alternative local pasta dish is Spaghetti al |
| in the southwest corner of Italy, with 500 miles | | | | Ragù di Totano (Spaghetti with Squid and |
| of coastline on the Gulf of Taranto and Ionian and | | | | Tomato Sauce). Of course the hardest part of |
| Tyrrhenian Seas. Its total population is about 2 | | | | preparing this dish is cleaning the squid. Other |
| million. The countryside is mountainous, and prone | | | | ingredients include onion, garlic, and basil. If you are |
| to earthquakes. Over the centuries the peasants | | | | up to it, save some of the squid rings for your |
| learned how to extract the maximum from the | | | | second course. Wine pairings for the pasta dish |
| poor soil. The red onions from Tropea are as | | | | (often made with angel hair spaghetti) include |
| good as they get. Some people eat them raw. | | | | Italian Pinot Grigio and Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi |
| Does anybody out there have a wine pairing for | | | | DOC or Verdicchio di Matelica DOC from The |
| raw onions? | | | | Marches. |
| An excellent starter or side vegetable dish is | | | | Pesce Stocco alla Calabrese (Salted Cod Calabrian |
| Carciofi Ammollicati (Artichokes with | | | | style) is made with tomato sauce, black olives, |
| Breadcrumbs) that also includes grated Pecorino | | | | onion, potatoes, and some herbs and spices. The |
| cheese, lemons, and olive oil. Some say that | | | | real thing is cooked in a terracotta dish. If you like |
| artichokes are difficult to pair with wine. They | | | | salt cod, you'll enjoy this meal with an Italian |
| haven't tried this dish with a Vermentino di | | | | Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. |
| Sardegna DOC, a Vermentino di Gallura DOCG | | | | I've saved the best for last; namely Pesce Spada |
| from Sardinia, or an Italian Gewurztraminer, Pinot | | | | alla Bagnarese (Swordfish Bagnara style). Bagnara |
| Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc. | | | | is a fishing and now tourist village that is also |
| Another first dish is Bucatini con la Mollica (Bucatini | | | | known for Torrone, a delicious almond-nougat |
| Pasta with Breadcrumbs) that includes salted | | | | candy. The swordfish is roasted with capers, |
| anchovies, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Use | | | | chopped parsley, lemon, and olive oil. Suggested |
| whole-wheat breadcrumbs. This dish is traditionally | | | | wine pairings include Vernaccia di San Gimignano |
| served without cheese and works best with | | | | DOCG from Tuscany but you have to get a good |
| Bucatini, large hollow spaghetti. Enjoy with an | | | | one, an Italian Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. |
| Italian Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. | | | | |