Sardegna
Sardegna is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily. It is situated 200 km (120 miles) west of the mainland of Italy, 12km (7.5 miles) south of the French Island of Corsica and 200 (120 miles) north of the coast of Africa. Sardegna is famous for some of the most breathtaking beaches in all of Italy, with gleaming turquoise waters and pearl-white glittery sands. One of the most expensive areas in Sicily is La Costa Smeralda or the Emerald Coast which is located on the northeast part of Sardegna. It is filled with luxurious resorts, giant yachts, and beautiful beaches. 25% of the island is environmentally preserved. It has 3 national parks and 10 regional parks. Sardegna produces 20,000 tons of cork, carved from the cork oaks annually. This represents 80% of Italian production.
About 40% of the cork is exported, and it’s used to make a wide variety of products: wine corks of course, but also shoes, baseballs, music instruments, or even fashion items such as handbags and wallets. It also produces red coral jewelry. Red coral has been used for thousands of years to make fine jewelry, such as necklaces and earrings. It’s found in great quantities in Sardegna, in the underwater caves of Alghero, also known as the Coral Riviera.
Foods of Sardegna
Fregula
A pasta made with semolina flour. It is a specialty of Sardegna. The pasta is rolled into small balls and then toasted. It has a nutty flavour.
Ricci di Mare
The edible part of the sea urchin is commonly consumed in Sardegna. It has a firm, creamy, and rich flavour.
Primo Sale
It is an Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk and it has a crunchy texture which is slightly tangy.
Pane Carasau
An extremely thin flatbread which is twice baked for extra crispiness.
Culurgionis d'Ogliastra
Handmade dumplings filled with potatoes, pecorino cheese, lard, onions, garlic and mint. A Sardinian ravioli.
Spaghetti con la Bortaga
Spaghetti flavoured with bottarga, a locally produced cured mullet roe.
Fiore Sardo
Only produced on the island of Sardegna. A hard cheese made from whole sheep’s milk from local breeds. Aged for six months. Piquant flavour with caramel sweetness.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sardegna
Su Nuraxi di Barumini
South Sardegna
Su Nuraxi is the finest and the most complete example of Nuraghe, a defensive megalithic structure of the Bronze Age Nuragic civilization of the 2nd millennium BCE.
