Southern Italy is the land of high quality food. Sicily is at the top with its 27 protected products (11 Protected Geographical Indicationand and 16 Protected Origin Designation).

The newest product to obtain the protected origin designation is the Etna cherry, but there's a long list of unique and delicious food that Sicily has to offer. Only a few weeks ago, the same award went to Piacentinu cheese from Enna, one of the many Sicilian cheeses which have very ancient history. Also cherry tomatoes, pecorino and green pistachio from Bronte need to be mentioned as indispensable ingredients in Italian kitchens.

Sicily also produces the highest number of POD olive oils: Mount Etna, Hyblean Mountains, Val di Mazara, Valdemonte, Valle del Belice, Trapani valleys. Olive oil is a staple nourishment of the Mediterranean diet indicated by nutritionists as the most healthy and tasty.

Besides the Sicilian goodness, honor and respect goes to Campania, Puglia, Basilicata and Abruzzo. Among the top products of these regions are the Altamura bread (the only one in Italy to have POD recognition), Sorrento and Amalfi Coast PGI lemons and the famous, delicious buffalo mozzarella.