#1 Urchin Also called the hedgehog of the sea, this is a must-have seafood experience. You can get it with pasta or alone as a side plate. Go for the side plate. We ordered a second round after we devoured the first order.

#2 Grilled Fish I love freshly caught fish no matter how it is cooked. But this style of grilling over a live fire is incredible and they have been cooking like this in Italy for centuries. Your server can help you get to the meat, but it is pretty easy. . .just avoid the bones.

#3 Zucchini Flowers Zucchini flowers, known as fiori di zucca in Italian, are a popular ingredient in Italian cuisine. These delicate, golden-yellow blossoms are typically harvested in the summer when zucchini plants are in full bloom. I never knew I would love this special treat and have been yearning to taste it again. We were luckily introduced to this food as part of a seasonal mixed plate offering local Puglian food

*Fresh ingredients mixed with orecchiette pasta*

#4 Orecchiette, meaning "little ears" in Italian, is the signature pasta of Puglia. Often served with various sauces, the most popular version is orecchiette con cime di rapa (with turnip greens). The pasta’s unique shape holds sauces beautifully.

*Fresh clams, fresh ingredients, fresh pasta = heaven.*

#5 Pasta with clams (known as pasta alle vongole in Italian) is a beloved seafood dish, especially in coastal regions of Italy like Puglia, Campania, and Lazio. The dish is simple yet flavorful, highlighting the natural sweetness of fresh clams combined with pastThe garlic and white wine create a light, flavorful sauce that clings to the pasta, making it a perfect Mediterranean-inspired meal.

For more details and restaurant recommendations - check out my book “Cliff Diving with Kids: A Family Adventure Through Puglia and Southern Italy”.

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