Milan is the capital of Abruzzo’s appetisers.
Benefitting from the boom in wine bars and among managers’ favourite purchases – the appointment with Slow Food is tomorrow at 8.30 p.m. in Ortona!

An IDENTITY CARD is to be given to the traditional pickles, dips and appetisers from the Abruzzo Region! It will give background information, origin, product number and chemical and physical characteristics.

Ursini quality foods of Fossacesia, have had this idea for their new product lines, which are to be released on the market in the coming weeks. This follows thorough trials performed on more than 200 company managers, of both sexes, and in some of the finest wine bars in Milan and the surrounding area.

These traditional products, often restricted to consumption by local families, have been recognised as excellent local specialities. They are now “exported” to Milan, where tendency becomes fashion and where traditional products like pickles, dips and appetisers may be seen as a novelty.

As Ursini’s research has revealed, these are products with “high customer satisfaction”. They are practical both for mid to long-term storage and for quick, easy use by an ever-more demanding consumer, who has little time, but wants to know what he or she is eating. These genuine products are sometimes referred to as “comfort foods” and guarantee the freshness and flavour of the Mediterranean.

These products may be used as sauces with pasta, (truffle-cream sauce, pesto sauce, pesto with sweet chillies etc) or served as side dishes with fish and meat (carrot rolls, peppers stuffed with anchovies and capers, etc.). However, the appetisers, pickles and dips are much appreciated in the numerous, crowded wine bars which are springing up across Italy (there are over 1000 – a 150% rise in the last 2 years). Delicious spread on bread or used as dips, they can be accompanied by a glass of fine wine or a champagne aperitif and are one of the indulgences most sought after by consumers of all ages.

A range of products pickled in olive oil will play a major part in a fascinating evening of quality wines and food tomorrow, Thursday 3rd July,  at 8.30 p.m.. The management of Lanciano-Vasto Slow Food and the vintner Non Solo Vino (Not Just Wine) from Ortona have organised a tasting with Ursini’s appetisers and Ercole Velenosi’s wines. Velenosi is a wine producer from the Marchè Region with a growing reputation, whose Ludi red wine has been recently given the tre bicchieri award by the Gambero Rosso guide.

It will be a celebration of genuine flavours – the bruschette di zucchine e zafferano (toasted bread with courgette and saffron), pestato di tarator (tarator mix – dried fruit) and numerous pasta dishes. These will be accompanied by Velenosi Brut, Chardonnay Rève and by Ludi, the jewel in Velenosi’s crown!

Entry is open to all and tickets are available at 23 Euros per head.