Top 10 culinary specialities in Ajaccio

On holiday on the Isle of Beauty? Corsica leaves no one indifferent when it comes to the landscapes to discover, endless white sandy beaches, crystal-clear rivers, and paths of discovery and adventure. It’s a paradise just a few hours by plane from France. But what about Corsican gastronomy? As we all know, the Corsican people are attached to their traditions. When it comes to food, it’s much the same. There are recipes from centuries ago that still survive today, handed down from family to family. Beautiful, isn’t it? So come on, we’ll take you to the other side of the Mediterranean to discover some of these dishes.

What to eat in Ajaccio?

1. Charcuterie

If you’re a fan of red meat, then setting foot in Corsica will undoubtedly be one of the best things you’ve ever done in your life. Everywhere you look you’ll find a butcher’s, a shopkeeper’s or a restaurant serving the island’s specialities such as coppa, figatellu or lonzu. Corsican pork is very popular in France, and many people use it to create new recipes, serve it as an aperitif, or enjoy it on a few slices of fresh bread. There are several varieties to choose from, which will encourage you to discover new flavours.

2. Cheese

We mentioned meat above, so what goes well with it on a slice of bread? Cheese! Yes, Corsican cheese never ceases to delight visitors’ stomachs. In the town of Ajaccio, it is the star food that is always present on dining tables. Once again, there are several varieties, and to list them all would take us hours. So we’ll just recommend two: brocciu, which is very well known, and whose goat’s or sheep’s milk makes you shudder with delight; and chevreau, the cheese nicknamed “the cheese of character”.

3. Frappes

This is THE pastry that all Corsican grandmothers love to make for their grandchildren when they come to visit them in the mountains! Frappes are one of the oldest sweet treats in the world. They are small, soft doughnuts sprinkled with icing sugar, and are often eaten at festive occasions such as christenings and weddings. They are often flavoured with lemon or orange, giving them a distinctive smell that can be smelt from miles around!

4. Wild boar stew

If Corsica had to have a totem animal, it would undoubtedly be the wild boar! They’re everywhere, and this meat is known for being particularly lean and firm. Boar stew is a dish based on onions and carrots. It’s also a great classic of Corsican cuisine. The meat is simmered for a long time, giving it a strong flavour that carnivores love! It’s the kind of meal you like to eat in winter, with a glass of good red wine to warm you up and give you courage.

5. Aziminu

Corsica is an island surrounded by water, which means that fish and other shellfish from the sea are much appreciated on the plate… And especially well cooked! In fact, if we had to give you an example of a delicious dish to try at all costs, it would undoubtedly be: aziminu. This is a soup made from a variety of fish (mullet, sea bream, red mullet, etc.) simmered in a broth with a host of herbs such as bay leaves, thyme, fennel and saffron. If you’re a gourmet, you can add pieces of crab and a few mussels. All the wonders of the sea in one dish!

6. Patrimonio (wine)

We’re thirsty, aren’t you? Patrimonio is one of Corsica’s most popular wines beyond its borders. If you go to the town of Ajaccio, no doubt it will be at the top of the list of drinks to try on the menu. This is a very pleasant wine to drink with a meal, and it can be red, white or rosé. Most of the wines are organic, so you won’t find anything like it anywhere else in the world! It’s a grand cru, so you can enjoy it slowly to make the pleasure last longer.

7. Veal with olives

In Corsica, olive oil is used in almost every dish, including veal with olives, where it is the star ingredient. The meat is simmered in red wine and a few herbs are added to accentuate the flavour, particularly bay leaves. This Ajaccio recipe is eaten mainly in winter by the town’s inhabitants, but you can eat it the rest of the year. However, you’ll need to be patient before eating it: it takes a long time to cook, but the result is divine.

8. Canistrelli

We’ve already told you about the soft frappes, but now it’s the turn of the crunchy canistrelli! These long, dry, brittle biscuits are a real treat for anyone who eats them. We recommend a nice cup of tea to go with them, to make them even better. Every bite will be a sensory experience you’ll want to relive over and over again. Sold in packets in supermarkets, this is the kind of souvenir you’ll want to take home with you!

9. Tarte Aux Herbes

Who here doesn’t love tarts? We all love the crispness of the pastry combined with the softness of the filling on top. The tarte aux herbes in Corsica is the kind of quick, efficient meal that guarantees good family time over a delicious dish. You can eat it with a filling on the side, such as a small fresh salad with pieces of fish. It’s a low-calorie meal you can enjoy at the same time. Isn’t life great?

10. Pulenda

This is bread cut into slices to accompany cheese, fried eggs or meat. Pulenda is made with chestnut flour, which gives it a unique flavour that you won’t find on other breads. Generally in the shape of a ball, it is baked in a cauldron, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, and is a much-loved speciality during the festive season.