What to Eat and Drink in Ascoli Piceno

A typical product of exceptional quality is olive oil, as is the case throughout the rest of the Marche region. Among the first courses, egg-based pastas stand out, such as tagliatelle, maccheroncini di Campofilone, or chitarrine, as well as spaghetti with a sauce made from tuna, green olives, and tomatoes. Alternatively, there are soups made with grains or legumes: spelt soup, lentil soup, or bean soup. As for main courses, a typical dish is the Ascolana-style mixed fry, for which the stuffed olives are particularly well-known: these are pitted olives stuffed with a mixture of meat, chicken livers, and tomatoes, breaded, and then deep-fried. Turkey all’ascolana is also prepared with olives, flavored with aromatic herbs, juniper berries, and chicken livers. Zuppa inglese is a very popular dessert and is commonly called “pizza dolce.” Desserts and cookies made with grape must, maritozzi, and tarts are other traditional sweets. The Piceno wines are excellent, notably the Rosso Piceno, the Rosso Piceno Superiore, and the white Falerio dei Colli Ascolani.