Facts of Italy: the Elusive Central Regions
Northern Italians often complain about the idle southerner and blame their attitude for any economical and political downfall. If asked to define where southern Italy starts, they will sometimes indicate an area south of Tuscany or Emilia. In extreme cases they will define southern Italy as the area further south from their own region. Southerner will explain that the south of Italy was colonized by the north and exploited mercilessly in the name of economical progress without any regard for the local resources, culture and values. The north Italy will be vaguely identified with the area north of Naples or Rome. This generalizations leave completely out the central regions that are identified as being pertaining to the north or south depending on the preferences of the speaker. Paradoxically Italy seems to have a North, a South but not an identifiable Center.
The cooking of Le Marche region simplifies its geographical position, it doesn’t have the frankness of the Abruzzo kitchen but it doesn’t reach the opulence of Emilia Romagna cuisine. Le Marche cuisine offers a wise balance between the complexity of the traditional cooking, the simplicity required by modern living and the spontaneity allowed by superb fresh ingredients.
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