There are lots of reasons to visit the Salento area of Puglia. The southernmost part of the heel of Italy’s boot is filled with incredible beaches, Baroque architecture, and cultural experiences. Of course, there is also its delicious cuisine and there are quite a few things you need to save room for in order to sample all of the specialties there are to eat in Lecce. Lecce is the largest city in Puglia’s beautiful Salento area. Some of the dishes come directly from Lecce, while others hail from smaller villages and can be found throughout Salento.

Pasticciotto

Probably the best-known food to hail from Salento is the pasticciotto. Pasticciotto is a pastry and you should eat as many as possible while in Lecce. Shaped a bit like a small boat, the thick shortcrust dough is filled with pastry cream. You will often find less traditional takes on fillings as well and can find a flavor to match your preference.