The Timeless Allure of Penne Nestled in the Abruzzo Region

Uncover the secrets of Penne as Antonio Baldacchini from the Council of Community Planning joins us for an enchanting exploration of Abruzzo's mesmerizing landscapes and historical tapestry. Step back in time to discover a town where the past lingers in the cobblestoned streets and the future blossoms from the community's vibrant culture and commitment to sustainability. We chat about Penne's rich history, from its pre-Roman roots to the artistic revolutions of the Renaissance, and dig into the unique cultural events that make this town more than just a dot on the map. With Antonio's insight, we savor the authentic flavors of Abruzzese cuisine, where dishes like arrosticini and porchetta not only tantalize the taste buds but also tell the story of a land devoted to culinary tradition.

Settle in as we paint a picture of Abruzzo that's as vivid as the region's lush mountain vistas and as soothing as the Adriatic Sea's gentle waves. In this serene sanctuary, we discuss how the environment nurtures the soul, offering a sanctuary for rejuvenation and innovation, where the air is pure and life's rhythm is set to nature's pulse. The Abruzzese people's warmth truly shines through, as they extend open arms to visitors seeking connection with their heritage or simply a tranquil retreat. Be inspired by the tales of those who have experienced the open-hearted welcome of this Italian gem, and let us entice you to be the next to embrace the splendor and spirit of Abruzzo.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:13

Ciao a tutti. Sono Bob Sorrentino, di Italian Roots and Genealogy, con I miei aspetti speciali, letizia Sinisi, di Italy Rooting, e Tonio Baldacchini, di Councilo del Community Planning. Benvenuti, letizia Sinisi, the Italy Routing, and Antonio Baldacchini, the Council of Community. Penne Welcome.

Speaker 2: 0:30

Welcome.

Speaker 3: 0:32

Thank you, thank you, thank you, mr Sorrentino.

Speaker 1: 0:39

So my first question, antonio, is can you tell us about the area of Abruzzo that you represent?

Speaker 2: 0:46

I represent the municipality of Penne. That is in the province of Pescara in the Abruzzo region. That is an area that is particularly rich in history and natural beauty. This Penne has been very important and it dates back to pre-Roman times, and it was an important center during the Roman period and then also under the Longobard and the Norman rule. During the Renaissance, the city experienced a period of artistic and cultural development with the construction of several churches and actually there are a lot of churches in Penna buildings, palaces and works of art.

Speaker 2: 1:35

Penna is also very rich in cultural traditions, such as the St Michael's Fair, that is a religious tradition very strongly felt, and the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, that is a religious feast with gastronomic traditions and typical dishes, like rasticini, that are well known in all the world. Penne is also important as a landmark in the Vestina area, a historical area of Abruzzo that includes several towns and villages. The Vestini were an italic people, italic people, and the area takes the name from that specific people. In the center of Italy, this region has been inhabited since ancient times and has preserved many unique cultural traditions, as well as its well-known natural beauty, with hilly landscapes, very inspirational ones, parks and natural reserves. The Westinia area is also famous for its archaeological sites, for example, such as the Italic Temple In fact, that was an Italic area of San Salvatore in Mute Silvano, which testifies to the presence of ancient civilizations in that region. In summary, penna and the Westinina area represent a fascinating combination of history, culture and natural beauty, attracting visitors interested in exploring the richness of Abruzzo region.

Speaker 1: 3:12

So what is the municipality of Penne doing to guarantee that descendants and travelers feel welcome and live a memorable experience?

Speaker 2: 3:27

experience. So PENE is taking several initiatives to ensure adequate reception for travelers and descendants interested in exploring their roots and rediscovering the local culture. It is also developing a tourism promotion and marketing plan of territorial regeneration, involving public and private operators, including the community itself, the community of citizens. The plan includes a year-round hospitality network, cultural itineraries, routes, tourism events, demonstrations and international collaborations for cultural tourism and production interchanges. So it's a plan that involves culture, travel and production interchange.

Speaker 2: 4:12

And I should add that in Penne there is a hub of smart male clothes, so I'm assuming there is a hub of male elegance in Penne clothes. So I'm adding that there is a hub of masculine elegance Penne. Penne, as an administration, we care so that initiatives are sustainable over time and actively involve the citizens and the local community, of which new guests from all over the world have also been chosen, have chosen to come and to be inspired by Penne, thanks also the clean air that is there and the relaxation that can be experienced among the narrow streets of the historical center. Those interested in living or investing in Penne can get in touch with us. Living or investing in Penne can get in touch with us, and Penne would be very welcoming and very happy to receive and to give more information about that.

Speaker 1: 5:13

How do the Abutze people feel when people come from abroad to visit their ancestral homes?

Speaker 2: 5:23

We, as Abruzzi people, are well known for a say that is strong and kind. We, as Abruzzi people, we have the spirit of hospitality in our DNA, so we feel like a family that welcomes as at home those who have the pleasure of returning. We are happy to be able to share the beauty of our land and our authenticity with those who have heard about it through grandparents, through nonni stories, and return to rediscover it and thus rediscover as a part of themselves. I am not from Abruzzo, but when I go to Abruzzo, actually I see this in reality, I experience this strongness and kindness.

Speaker 1: 6:15

So my next question. I think it'll be a fun one, because a lot of us Italian-Americans we come for three reasons Culture, visit the hometown and the food, because our Italian food isn't as good as your Italian food. So can you tell us a little bit about the food and the culture of Abruzzo?

Speaker 3: 6:37

It's an argument that also personally involves me, because I am also a culture of the genuinity of Abruzzo cuisines. I always praise you because you are really exceptional. Abruzzo cuisine is renowned for its simplicity, authenticity.

Speaker 2: 7:04

Here we have some very, very good food. Abruzzo cuisine is actually renowned for its simplicity, authenticity and use of fresh, high-quality local ingredients, and we have some specific and peculiar foods that are specifically from Abruzzo, and one it's not just because it ranks first, but because it's very famous it's the arrosticini. One one is the arrosticini is a most famous dish in Abruzzo, generally speaking, and actually arrosticini are skewers of mutton or sheep actually cut into small pieces and skewered on wooden sticks. The arrosticini are then grilled and served with homemade bread and seasonings such as olive oil and chili pepper. Something should be said because actually in the area there are a lot of renowned oil. Virgin olive oils that have been recognized have been certified as being one of the best in Italy. Porchetta Abruzzese is a traditional dish popular throughout Italy, but in Abruzzo it has its own special version. It involves pork stuffed with herbs, spices and garlic and then slow cooked into tender and succulent soup.

Speaker 2: 8:39

It is often served hot on homemade bread. Spaghetti alla Chitarra is another hot on homemade bread. Spaghetti alla Chitarra is another, like we can say, signature dish of Abruzzo cuisine. Spaghetti alla Chitarra takes its name from the chitarra. That is a traditional tool used to cut pasta, and the pasta is usually topped with the sauces made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and sometimes pecorino cheese. In the Teramo area in Abruzzo there is also meat that is put on spaghetti alla chitarra. It's like pallottine, which are little meat balls. Maccheroni alla chitarra is similar to spaghetti alla chitarra, but with a different shape of pasta. Maccheroni alla chitarra is often accompanied by meat-based sauces, such as Abruzzese ragù made with beef or pork cooked slowly with tomato and seasonings.

Speaker 2: 9:35

Cheese is another famous production and especially in the Penne area in the Westin area it's full of producers, like in Farindola. Pecorino the pecorino from farindola is particularly good. I can, I can assure you, I can tell you it's one of the best cheeses I've ever eaten, and particularly then pecorino, the farindola, pecorino abruzzese and the cheese made from aged sheep's milk with an intense flavor. Other abruzzo cheeses includes scamorza, caccavalo and ricotta forte. But there are also desserts, traditional desserts. Among the most popular desserts are scrippel embusse, which are a thin, tough duff pancake filled with cheese and then dipped into meal broth. And there are also celli ripieni fried sweets filled with cooked must, chocolate and dried fruit. And another one is pizza fritta, which seems to be a salted one, but it's a sweet, because pizza fit is a special cake, very homemade cake, stuffed with chocolate, cream and liquor are sweet and fruity baked must, chocolate and simple fruit.

Speaker 3: 10:57

Then there is also a particular dessert that is called a traditional cake with a filling with chocolate cream. It is a liquid, a red vermouth also. This is a particular sweet of the region. The culinary culture of Bruxelles reflects the traditional farming and pastoral tradition, with a strong link with the land and local products. The dishes are often simple but rich in intense flavors, celebrating fresh and genuine ingredients. Very, very good.

Speaker 1: 11:54

Now I'm hungry.

Speaker 2: 11:55

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 12:06

So you know, other than visiting their hometowns, what else does Abruzzo offer?

Speaker 2: 12:14

So Abruzzo, generally speaking, has valuable natural and cultural resources that we Abruzzese people sometimes are often surprised by, and we discover every day secret places or we surprise ourselves all the time. In summary, in Abruzzo there are stimuli and inspirations for all the senses. Or, for example, a peculiarity that we have also in Penne is that the sea and the mountains you can see them together at a glance and because we are 15 miles from the sea and some 15 miles from the sea and some 12 miles from the mountains. So in Penne and in a lot of places in Abruzzo you can see at the same time the sea and the mountains. So it's something particularly relaxing, also for the sight, and you can relax and concentrate.

Speaker 2: 13:23

So relaxation and concentration, especially if we think of the stressful times that we live in big cities. In abruzzo relaxation and concentration are guaranteed and it is the real slow that regenerates. So what you can find in Abruzzo is silence and the slow that can regenerate yourself. I want first of all to thank for this interview, for the opportunity of letting you know what we offer here and what we can do, and we are enthusiastic of welcoming all those people that want to come back or to come and visit us.

Speaker 2: 14:26

This has definitely been a step to present, to introduce our area to the international world, and we thank you for that or refill Abruzzese among Abruzzese, because Abruzzo actually is home and it's the place where we are waiting with open arms for all those that would like to visit us or even just get more information about what this wonderful territory can offer.

Speaker 2: 14:56

So, in summary, if you want to breathe the good and healthy air if you want to see incredible panoramas, if you want to relax, concentrate and inspire yourself, please come and visit us. This is an invitation to all people that would benefit from that.