Wine and Food Tour of the Island of Elba

Elba is as beautiful to see as it is good ‘to eat’. The island is world-famous for its enchanting sea, beautiful beaches and amazing vegetation, but also and above all for its food and wine tradition. It is inconceivable to think of being in this area and not trying its delicacies.

What to eat on the Island of Elba? Follow us on this food and wine journey that is sure to make your mouth water!

The gurguglione

One of the most famous preparations of Elba’s culinary tradition is the gurguglione, a dish of Spanish origin made with typical vegetables from the Elban countryside (onions, peppers, aubergines, courgettes, tomatoes) cooked in a pan. It is a poor peasant dish that was eaten by Elban miners. It is usually served as a side dish, to go with either meat or fish, but it is also delicious as an appetiser, accompanied by toasted Tuscan bread. There are several variants, known by other names such as ‘puttanaio’ or ‘gaspaccio’, which differ in the type of vegetables used.

The penne in barca

Among the first courses, one must try penne in barca, a dish with a delicate and at the same time strong flavour. The indispensable ingredients of this unique dish are pasta, clams, egg yolk and béchamel sauce. The recipe was invented in the 1960s by chef Elbano Benassi, the post-war mayor of Portoferraio and a pioneer of the nascent tourist industry, who was then the owner of the trattoria ‘Da Elbano’, where freshly caught fish was eaten. Today it is offered in different versions by practically all the island’s restaurateurs.

The sburrita

Sburrita (or sburita) is a typical recipe from Rio Marina that you can, however, taste in any restaurant on the island. It is nothing more than a fish soup flavoured with herbs and vegetables. It is prepared with wet salt cod, chilli peppers, garlic and nipitella (also known as wild mint). Since it is a soup, it must be strictly accompanied by croutons of Tuscan bread (perhaps with garlic). It is a poor but extremely tasty dish. It was once prepared by the wives of the Rioesi miners as a meal.

Riese-style stockfish

Another dish typical of Rio Marina but well known throughout the island is riese-style stockfish. Obviously, as the name suggests, the main ingredient is stockfish, which is cooked for a long time in an earthenware casserole with garlic, parsley, potatoes, onion, tomato, chilli pepper, black olives, anchovies, capers and pine nuts. The slow cooking allows the stockfish to soak up the aromas of each ingredient. It was the dish for Fridays and other days when, according to religious tradition, meat could not be eaten.

The cacciucco all’elbana

Another fish soup typical of the island is cacciucco all’elbana, a version quite similar to the traditional cacciucco alla livornese. It is said that the recipe was created in ancient times by fishermen in order not to throw away unsold fish and was therefore made mainly of ‘poor’ fish. Today it is considered a true delicacy for the preparation of which at least five different qualities of fish are indispensable. The original recipe calls for the addition of onion, garlic, chilli pepper, parsley, extra virgin olive oil, tomato paste, salt and white wine.

The schiaccia briaca

As for desserts, one of the most famous and best-loved is the schiaccia briaca. Its origins date back to the 13th century, when the island was often prey to raids by Saracen pirates. The recipe calls for ingredients typical of Middle Eastern cuisine. It is prepared with pine nuts, sultanas, almonds, walnuts, honey, Alchermes liqueur and a small glass of Aleatico wine (which gives the cake its typical reddish colour). It can be enjoyed all year round, but it is the star of the Christmas season. There is no tourist who does not buy at least one before leaving.

The wine

Wine lovers are spoilt for choice. The Island of Elba boasts a myriad of DOC and DOCG wines: Elba Rosso, Elba Rosato, Elba Bianco, Elba Rosso Riserva, Elba Bianco Spumante, Ansonica and Aleatico Passito. Among the most illustrious admirers of Elba wine is Napoleon, who on his return to France often liked to repeat: ‘the inhabitants of Elba are strong and healthy because the island’s wine gives strength and health’.

Photo Gallery © R.Ridi – Visitelba.info