Hey there, foodie travelers! 🌍✈️ If you’re planning a trip to Lecce, Italy, you’re in for a treat—literally! Lecce is not just known for its stunning architecture and rich history, but also for its mouthwatering rustici. 🤤🇮🇹
For those who aren’t familiar, a rustico is a heavenly snack from the Salento region in southern Italy. Imagine puff pastry filled with tomato, mozzarella, and sometimes bechamel sauce, all baked to perfection. 🍅🧀 It’s a must-try street food that you can find in almost every bar, bakery, and rotisserie in the area. Best enjoyed warm, this snack is a burst of flavors and textures that you won’t forget. 😋
I recently came across a video by Franchino Er Criminale, who took us on a culinary journey to discover the 3 best places to get rustici in Lecce. Let’s dive in! 🎥🍽️
Caffè Alvino
Address: Piazza Centrale, Lecce
Quote: “Guardate che sfoglia! Questa è una poesia proprio la sfoglia… Guarda che bel pomodoro dentro. Guarda tutto filante è strepitoso.”
Translation: “Look at that pastry! The pastry itself is like poetry… Look at the beautiful tomato inside. Look at how stringy and amazing it is.”
Rating: 9+
Price: €2.50
Thoughts: The rustico here is a masterpiece of puff pastry, filled with tomato, mozzarella, and bechamel. The blogger was particularly impressed by the flaky pastry and the generous, flavorful filling. 🌟
Caffetteria Libertini
Address: Via Salvatore Trinchese 17, Lecce
Quote: “Eh devo vedere proprio scarico è buono un buon rustico però… scendiamo vertiginosamente di voto.”
Translation: “Well, it’s good, a good rustico, but… the rating drops significantly.”
Rating: 7
Price: €2.50
Thoughts: While still tasty, the rustico here didn’t quite measure up to the one at Caffè Alvino. The blogger found the pastry less flaky and the filling less abundant. 🤷♀️
Boulangerie di Lecce
Address: Via Oberdan 10, Lecce
Quote: “molto buono si sente dentro anche il grana la farina multicereale è interessante.”
Translation: “Very good, you can even taste the grana cheese inside, and the multi-grain flour is interesting.”
Rating: 9-
Price: €2.50 (for the classic), €5 (for the variant with buffalo mozzarella)
Thoughts: This place offers a classic rustico as well as a variant with buffalo mozzarella and grana cheese. The blogger found the variant particularly interesting and tasty. 🌟
So, there you have it! Whether you’re a rustico rookie or a seasoned snacker, Lecce has something for everyone. Happy munching! 🍴🇮🇹
This time, we’re following Max Ginestra from the channel “Abroad and Hungry,” who takes us on a street food tour to discover some of the most unknown Italian foods. 🇮🇹🎥
Antica Pucceria Giannone dal 1941
Address: Google Maps Location
Quote: “It’s All About The Bread. It’s soft as soon as you bite into it, you get the ingredients, you got the crunchiness and bitterness of the Rockets and the spicy salami. Wow!”
Specialty: Puccia with spicy salami, kacho Cavallo (local cheese), rocket, and homemade spicy sauce.
Thoughts: Max was blown away by the puccia here, especially praising the bread and how well it complements the spicy salami and cheese. The bread undergoes a 72-hour maturation process, making it easy to digest. 🍞🌶️
Le Zie Trattoria Casereccia
Address: Google Maps Location
Quote: “It’s a family-run business, it’s like having Grandma’s food. Horse meatballs completely dissolve in your mouth, very tender, juicy, a bit smoky.”
Specialty: Horse meatballs, pasta made with durum wheat flour, chickpeas, and Tria (fried pasta).
Thoughts: Max felt like he was part of the family the moment he stepped in. He was particularly impressed by the horse meatballs and the unique pasta dishes. 🍝🍖
MasCalzone Lecce
Address: Google Maps Location
Quote: “It’s so flavorful, you know, it’s crunchy. No oily, the key is in the dough. It’s kind of satisfying when you bite into it.”
Specialty: Fried calzone with slices of horse meat, tomato base, mozzarella, and chili oil.
Thoughts: Max even got behind the counter to make his own calzone. He was amazed by how light and non-greasy the fried calzone was. The dough was the star, making the calzone satisfying yet not heavy. 🍕🌶️
So, whether you’re a fan of traditional Italian dishes or eager to try something new, Lecce has got you covered. From the world’s first puccia to horse meatballs, this city is a food lover’s paradise. 🍽️🇮🇹
🍴🌍 If you thought Lecce was all about pasticciotti and sweet treats, think again! The channel “Cosa mangiamo oggi?” takes us on a culinary adventure through Lecce, exploring the savory side of this Italian gem. 🇮🇹🎥
L’Angolino
Address: Via Giacomo Matteotti 31, Lecce
Quote: “Carne di cavallo tenerissima ragazzi è veramente veramente buono.”
Translation: “The horse meat is incredibly tender, guys, it’s really, really good.”
Specialty: Puccia with horse meat, spicy sauce, and vegetables.
Thoughts: The puccia here is a must-try, especially with its tender horse meat and spicy sauce. The bread is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. 🍞🔥
Masseria Le Stanzie
Address: SP362 Km 32.900 Supersano, Lecce
Quote: “Siamo in forte crisi perché siamo praticamente già sassi per gli antipasti ci hanno sfondato.”
Translation: “We’re in serious trouble because we’re practically already full from the appetizers.”
Specialty: A variety of traditional Salento dishes, including sagne incannulate (pasta) and pittule (fried dough balls).
Thoughts: This masseria (farmhouse) offers an authentic Salento dining experience. The blogger was overwhelmed by the generous servings of appetizers and traditional dishes. 🍝🍲
So, if you’re planning a trip to Lecce, make sure to explore beyond the sweets. From rustici to puccia and traditional Salento dishes, this city has a savory side that’s just as delightful. 🍽️🇮🇹