Umbria, also known as "the Green Heart of Italy," is a region characterized by its historic, artistic, cultural and natural aspects. The region has a strong sense of spirituality, religion and is the homeland to some of the greatest Saints to have ever existed, such as San Francesco and Santa Chiara of Assisi and Santa Rita of Cascia.Since ancient times, the Umbria vineyards landscape and climate have allowed the production of high quality wines, especially in the areas of Trasimeno, Orvieto, Montefalco, Assisi and the Perugian hills.
The Etruscans were among the first people of Italy to practice olive cultivation and Umbria is recognized as a top producing region.In addition, the Umbrian sweets tradition is known for simple ingredients that are enriched by precious and genuine products:
Brustengolo: bread enriched with dry fruit according to the ancient peasants' tradition.
Ciaramicola: Sweet from Perugia; according to an ancient tradition young girls used to give it as a gift to young men they would like to marry.
Crescionda: ancient sweet from the town of Spoleto.
Pizza dolce di Pasqua made with Vinsanto, Marsala e rosolio.
Torciglione: The origin of this cake, traditionally consumed on Christmas' eve, is claimed by the villages on the Lago Trasimeno shores, due to its shape resembling an eel (fish to be found in the lake). Coarsely grounded almonds and sugar kneaded with whipped eggwhites to a snake's shape, with scales, eggs and forked tongue.
Torcolo di San Costanzo: A simple bread dough enriched with oil, butter, raisins, candied peels and anis. Typically from Perugia, it used to be prepared on the occasion of the Saint's feast, one of the three patron Saints of the town.
Tozzetto: a cookie similar to the Tuscan cantucci.
Sweets
Baci (kisses)
Ciaramicola, a ring shaped cake seasoned with lemon zest and Alchermes liqueur topped with bits of vanilla meringue.
Pan nociato, which means nut bread, is made with walnuts, fresh grapes and pecorino cheese spiced with cloves.
Pan pepato, which means spice bread, is a dense mix of various nuts, and dried and and candied fruit.
Torcolo A ring shaped cake from Perugia made with candied fruit and raisins. It is eaten for the feast days of San Costanzo and San Giuseppe.
Dessert Wine
Vin Santo, made with Grechetto or Malvasia grapes
Makers
Colussi
Perugina