What to eat in Ajaccio?

1. Charcuterie

If you're a red meat lover, then know that setting foot in Corsica will probably be one of the most beautiful things you've ever done in your life. Everywhere you'll find a butcher shop, merchants, or restaurants that will serve you island specialties such as coppa, figatellu, or lonzu. Pork meat in Corsica is very appreciated in France, many use it to create new recipes, serve as appetizers, or taste on a few slices of fresh bread. There are several varieties, which will push you to discover new flavors.

2. Cheeses

We talked about meat earlier, what goes well with it on a slice of bread? Cheese yes! Indeed, Corsican cheese never ceases to delight visitors' stomachs. In the city of Ajaccio, it's the star food that is always present on dining tables. Again, there are several varieties, and if we cite them all, it would take us hours. So, we'll settle for recommending two: brocciu, very well known, whose goat or sheep milk makes you shiver with delight; and chevreau, the one nicknamed 'the cheese of character'.

3. Frappes

Here is THE pastry that all Corsican grandmothers love to make for their grandchildren when they come to visit them in the mountains! Frappes are among the oldest sweet treats in the world. They are small soft donuts dusted with powdered sugar, often eaten during festive periods, such as baptisms or weddings. They are often flavored with lemon or orange, giving them a recognizable smell that can be detected for miles around!

4. Wild Boar Stew

If Corsica had a totem animal, it would probably be the wild boar! There are everywhere, and this meat is known for being particularly lean and firm. Wild 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 quite pronounced taste that carnivores love! It's the kind of meal we love to eat in winter with a good glass of red wine, to warm up and give ourselves courage.

5. Aziminu

Corsica is an island surrounded by water, which means that fish and other sea crustaceans are much appreciated on the plate... And especially well cooked! Indeed, if we had to give you an example of a succulent dish to try at all costs, it would probably be: aziminu. It's a soup of various fish (mullet, sea bream, red mullet...) that has been simmered in a broth with all sorts of herbs like bay leaves, thyme, fennel, or saffron. If you're a foodie, you can add pieces of crab and some mussels. The wonders of the sea united in one single dish!

6. Patrimonio (wine)

We're thirsty, aren't you? Patrimonio is one of the most widespread Corsican wines beyond its borders. If you go to the city of Ajaccio, without doubt it will appear at the top of the list among the drinks to taste on the menu. Here is a very pleasant meal wine that can be drunk in red, white, or rosé. These are mostly organic, so to speak, you won't taste others similar anywhere else in the world! It's a great vintage, you can savor it slowly to make the pleasure last longer.

7. Veal with Olives

In Corsica, olive oil is used in almost all dishes, as in veal with olives where it is the star ingredient. The meat is simmered in red wine and some herbs are added to accentuate the taste, particularly bay leaves. This recipe in Ajaccio is consumed mainly in winter by the city's inhabitants, but you can eat it the rest of the year. However, you'll need to be patient before tasting: the cooking is long, but the result is divine.

8. Canistrelli

We talked about soft frappes, now it's the turn of crunchy canistrelli to be celebrated! These small long, dry and crispy cookies are real gems for all those who eat them. We recommend a good cup of tea to accompany them, it will be even better. Each bite will be a sensory experience that you'll want to relive infinitely. Sold in packages in supermarkets, it's the kind of souvenir we want to bring back in our suitcase at all costs!

9. Herb Tart

Who here doesn't like tarts? We all love the crispy side of the pastry mixed with the soft side of the topping on top. The herb tart in Corsica is the kind of efficient and quick meal that guarantees a good family moment around a delicious dish. You can eat it with a side garnish like a small fresh salad with pieces of fish. This will allow you to have a low-calorie meal while treating yourself. Isn't life beautiful?

10. Pulenda

It's a bread cut into slices, intended to accompany cheese, fried eggs or meat. Pulenda is made with chestnut flour which gives it a unique taste that you won't smell on other breads. Generally ball-shaped, it is cooked in a cauldron, soft inside and crispy outside, it's a specialty much appreciated during festive periods.