Starters of vegetables and local cheeses
Begin your typical Gallurese menu with traditionally prepared vegetables preserved in oil: garden aubergines and courgettes, Sardinian olives. Directly from the Delphina Selection, enjoy wild asparagus hand-picked in the Gallurese countryside and broad beans from the fertile vegetable gardens of the Coghinas area in the north of the island. Another must-try is the DOP-certified artichokes from Valledoria – a unique spiny variety prepared in a small artisan workshop directly by the producer. These vegetarian starters pair perfectly with spianata flatbread filled with melted Sardinian peretta cheese from the oven, or Gallurese-style wild boar stew.
Gallurese first courses: “Sardinian” lasagne, sweet ravioli, and homemade gnocchetti
Born as a “poor man’s dish”, Gallurese soup or suppa cuata (meaning “hidden soup”) is one of the signature dishes of this part of the island. Made with stale bread or spianata, the layers are soaked in meat broth, fresh cheese, and aromatic herbs. The dish is enriched with ghisatu, a slow-cooked stew of mutton.
While holidaying in Gallura, you might also come across Li Bruglioni or Puligioni, the Gallurese version of ravioli, sweeter than those found in the rest of Sardinia. Perfect for li bucchi dulzi (dialect for “those with a sweet tooth”), these ravioli are filled with ricotta, citrus zest, and sugar, while the fresh pasta is made with durum wheat semolina flour. The perfect dressing? A rich tomato sauce topped with pecorino cheese.
In Gallura, gnocchetti are known as chiusoni. Handmade with durum wheat flour and salted boiling water, they take their distinctive shape on the colbula, a traditional woven basket. They are usually served with a meat or game-based sauce.