Countless threads bind the traditions of this land, made up of the fragrance of wines, roasts, and the green of herbs and, in many cases, the experiences of man. Cooking is a joy, and, here, it is an aspect of culture; it is a homemade and patient cooking, very original, which finds its roots in the products of the land and in the memory of ancient disciplines. The still unspoilt traditions are linked to the uses and customs of a small agricultural-rural world. Important are the tasty first courses, omelettes with herbs; with persa or marjoram, the variety of soups. Chickpea, pumpkin, pea and broad bean soups.

Then the game, including the “palombaccio alla leccarda”, a typical Amero dish, in which the pigeon is roasted on a spit over low heat and seasoned with a special sauce called “leccarda” to be savoured on slices of toasted bread. Bread, bakery products and pasta are processed both industrially and by hand. These include handmade manfricoli and wood-fired bread and pizza. Then there are the typical desserts, with seasonal delights such as panpepato at Christmas, biscuits with must in autumn, and cheesy and sweet Easter pizzas.

The cultivation of olives, widespread since ancient times, produces a particularly prized extra virgin olive oil in the area, a true secret of the cuisine, which the numerous local oil mills still produce by grinding with a stone grinder or other traditional methods, guaranteeing an extremely pure product. From November to February, numerous local oil mills present the ‘novello’ oil with tastings based on bruschetta, toasted bread with garlic (for those who like it) and plenty of oil. The oil has a protected designation of origin, extended to the Colli amerini, and the municipality of Amelia is part of the ‘Strada dell’Olio DOP Umbria’ association. This association was set up to fully promote this typical product of excellent quality, extra virgin olive oil, made from the Moraiolo, Leccino, Rajo and Frantoio varieties, in an area that is still largely free of parasites and therefore does not require the use of fungicides, allowing for completely natural cultivation.

The wines produced in this area also have all the requisites to satisfy the most demanding tastes; Amelia and its territory are part of the Etruscan-Roman Wine Route, which aims to make known and appreciated the quality productions of the wineries in the area participating in the initiative. An itinerary through the best wineries in the area allows visitors to taste the D.O.C. “AMELIA” wines, which offer a variety ranging from the traditional white, red and rosé to the fine and delicate Malvasia and Novello