A Peaceful Week in the Italian Countryside | Food, Traditions & Slow Living in Le Marche

I spent five days in Le Marche, a beautiful corner of the Italian countryside, where I found a little home at Villa Mastrangelo, surrounded by animals, nature, and peaceful mornings.

But what made this journey special were the women I met along the way!
In Offida, Ena and Rosina introduced me to the delicate art of tombolo, a centuries-old lace-making tradition. In Acquaviva, Mimma shared the story of the pajarole, handmade straw baskets that once helped women support their families, and Carla joined me in the kitchen to prepare delicious olive all'ascolana and frittelle, sharing much more than just a recipe.

These women reminded me how much history lives in our everyday gestures, and how important it is to keep these traditions alive.
I hope this little journey brings you some of the peace, warmth, and beauty I found in Le Marche.

🫒 CARLA'S OLIVE ALL'ASCOLANA

Ingredients
750 g large green olives (preferably Ascolana)
300 g beef
150 g pork
50 g chicken breast
50 g grated Parmigiano Reggiano
70 g Gratsi White Wine
1 carrot, 1 celery stalk, ½ onion
2 cloves
1 egg for the filling, plus more for coating
Fresh wild fennel
Nutmeg, salt and black pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
Flour and breadcrumbs
Gratsi Cooking Oil for frying
Preparation
Soak the olives for 12 hours in water flavored with fresh wild fennel.
Sauté the vegetables with olive oil and cloves. Add the beef and pork, cook for about 20 minutes, then add the chicken, Gratsi White Wine, and salt. Cover and simmer for another hour.
Let the meat cool, remove the cloves, and finely mince everything. Mix with Parmesan, one egg, and nutmeg.
Carefully pit the olives by cutting them in a spiral. Fill with the meat mixture and reshape.
Coat each olive in flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs.
Fry at 180°C (356°F) for about 2 minutes, until golden and crispy

⏱️ CHAPTERS
0:00 September in Le Marche
3:46 Slow Mornings at Villa Mastrangelo
6:33 Meeting Ena & The Art of Tombolo
9:41 Cooking Olive all'Ascolana with Carla
14:13 Rosina, 92 Years of Stories & Wisdom
18:34 A Traditional Italian Village Festival
22:04 The Art of Basket Weaving with Mimma
26:45 A Final Morning at the Market & Saying Goodbyes

#italiantravel