What to Eat and Drink in Cosenza

Calabria is known as a land of taste and flavors that go far beyond the world-famous Calabrian chili pepper—the undisputed star, though not the only one, of most traditional Calabrian dishes. Notable first courses include pitta ‘mpigliata, fusilli, pasta e patate, tijeddra, fried potatoes and pipareddre (bell peppers), turnip greens and sausage, lagane e ciciari (wide tagliatelle and chickpeas), and fresh pasta with Sila mushrooms. The most popular seafood dishes are fried salt cod and spaghetti with anchovies and fried breadcrumbs. For dessert, we recommend the traditional sweets of San Giuseppe: mostaccioli, focaccia made with honey or figs, cooked grape must, flour, and almonds. Meanwhile, throughout the Christmas season, you’ll find turididdri—fried pastries coated in fig honey—and scaliddre, covered in sugar glaze. Among the wines, we highlight Donnici—white, red, and rosé—and Pollino, not to mention the famous licorice liqueur.