Ep 7. Puglia

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy is a travel and food documentary series that follows actor and food lover Stanley Tucci as he travels throughout Italy to explore the country's regional cuisine and the people who prepare it. In episode 7 of season 2, titled Puglia, Tucci ventures to the rustic region of Puglia in southern Italy.

Puglia is known for its simple yet flavorful cuisine, featuring dishes that are often made with locally sourced ingredients and seafood from the Adriatic Sea. As Tucci makes his way through villages and towns throughout the region, he meets with locals who show him how to make some of the region's most beloved dishes.

In the episode, Tucci visits the town of Lecce, known for its baroque architecture and rich culinary traditions. He experiences the region's famous street food by visiting a local market where he samples some of the town's most iconic dishes, including taralli, a type of savory biscuit, and puccia, a stuffed bread sandwich filled with cheeses, meats, and vegetables.

Tucci also spends time in the seaside town of Gallipoli, where he visits a local fish market to learn about the region's abundant seafood offerings. He discovers how the locals prepare fish using traditional methods, such as grilling and frying, and enjoys a meal of fresh seafood at a local restaurant.

Throughout the episode, Tucci also explores the region's olive groves, which produce some of the best olive oil in Italy. He learns about the process of making olive oil and discovers how it is used in many of the region's dishes, including orecchiette con le cime di rapa, a pasta dish with broccoli rabe and anchovies.

Other highlights of the episode include Tucci's visit to the town of Ostuni, known as the "white city" for its stunning white-washed buildings, and his exploration of the region's wine culture. He meets with a winemaker who shows him how Puglia's sunny climate and fertile soil make it an ideal region for cultivating grapes.

Overall, the Puglia episode of Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy is a mouth-watering exploration of a region that is rich in history, culture, and delicious food. Through his travels, Tucci offers viewers a glimpse into the heart of this vibrant region, and showcases the people who are keeping its culinary traditions alive.