Adam's Pasta Pilgrimage
Adam’s Pasta Pilgrimage is a nineteen part television series that discovers the origins of Italy’s most famous food: where it came from, when it came to Italy, and how different cultures have influenced the pasta recipes we enjoy today. Adam Swanson, an Australian-Italian chef with cooking in his blood, travels to different regions across Italy, discovering the traditional and specialised pasta shapes and recipes of each area, and cooks delicious recipes that are easy enough to do at home - Adam’s bringing Italy’s secrets to our kitchens!
In Season 1 (episodes 1 to 13) Adam travels throughout Italy comparing the different food cultures of different regions.
In Season 2 (episode 14 to 19) Adam explores the food of the different cities and regions in Tuscany.
2 Seasons
19 Episodes
Naples
20minAdam’s family is from Southern Italy, and his journey begins in their hometown of Naples. Adam dispels the myths about the arrival of Italy’s most famous food, and learns that tomatoes were introduced 200 years after pasta. If this is the case, what did Italians eat their pasta with? Adam researches some traditional recipes, and with the help of some tips and secrets from his aunt, recreates…
1 Recipes Featured
Sicily
21minTripani, located on the far western tip of Sicily, was historically an important port for many occupying powers to import goods to Italy. Each occupying power left something behind, and one inheritance of the Arab culture is Couscous – a food now used worldwide in dishes from a diverse range of cultures. Adam looks at the traditional methods of cooking couscous, and how modern Sicilians have…
1 Recipes Featured
Calabria
20minCalabria is historically one of the poorest and most underdeveloped regions in Italy. Calabrians made their pasta entirely by hand, which was an incredibly labour-intensive process. Calabrians became incredibly resourceful and learned to preserve their food and make do with few ingredients. Adam explores the local markets for Calabrian produce, including famous Calabrian specialty Nduja, a spicy…
1 Recipes Featured
Tuscany
22minTuscany once glittered with wealth and splendour, and was ruled by the Medici family, who made Florence the heart of the Italian Renaissance. Whilst Tuscany is famous for its art, it’s also famous for its olive oil and wine. Adam explores the wineries, and discovers which wines match the region’s pasta of choice, pappardelle. The Tuscans traditionally paired pappardelle with various types of…
1 Recipes Featured
Umbria
18minJust below Tuscany is one of the smaller regions in Italy: Umbria. Umbria has maintained its medieval roots, especially in capital Perugia, where beautiful medieval buildings and landmarks still stand. Adam visits various landmarks in Perugia, including the Perugian Cathedral, which was the home of St Francis of Assisi. Adam explores the different produce in various regions of Umbria, including…
1 Recipes Featured
Lazio
18minLazio is the region that houses Rome, Italy’s capital and once the beating heart of one of the world’s greatest empires. Adam visits several famous Roman attractions, and speaks with an historian about how Rome has been central to many of the greatest moments, monuments and cultures in history. Adam will also explore Laziale village Amatrice, which is the home of Lazio’s pasta of choice, Bucatini…
1 Recipes Featured
Puglia
22minAfter exploring Calabria, Adam heads to Puglia, known as the ‘Garden of Italy’. Puglia is made of rolling plains and fertile soil, and is ideal farming land for vineyards, olive orchards and growing grain for pasta, and provides 75% of Italy’s fruit and vegetables. Orecchiette is the definitive Puglian pasta, and there is competition between Puglian towns as to who has the best Orecchiette…
1 Recipes Featured
Basilicata
23minSometimes a little goes a long way and the residents of the mountainous region of Basilicata have been creating “cucina povera” for centuries – but despite the few ingredients, the results are always delicious. The people of Basilicata primarily eat fusilli, and Adam explores the different sizes of fusilli and demonstrates how it can be used in different recipes, from soups to salads. Adam visits…
1 Recipes Featured
Abruzzo
22minThe region of Abruzzo is located towards the south of Italy, and borders the glittering blue Adriatic Sea. If there’s one thing that Abruzzo is famous for, it’s food. Home to a famous culinary institute, Abruzzo’s Villa Santa Maria also hosts the Sagra dei Cuochi, the Festival of the Cooks, and the village has been famous for its spectacular cookery since the 16th century. Maccheroni alla…
1 Recipes Featured
Emillia Romagna Part 1
19minEmilia-Romagna, a region in the north, is one of the richest regions in Italy, with most of the towns situated on the Via Emilia, a long road built in Roman times that leads across the region. Emilia-Romagna is home to the city of Bologna, the birthplace of the famous Bolognese sauce! Adam will explore the origins of this staple Italian sauce, from its origins with cream, few tomatoes and ragu…
1 Recipes Featured
Emillia Romagna Part 2
20minAdam’s still in the region of Emelia Romagna. Modena, which is home to the world’s most famous balsamic vinegar, was also the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari. After making Louis jealous at the Ferrari Museum, Adam meets Lucia, who shows him how to cook delicious and authentic tortellini. Adam visits restaurant Osteria del Sole, a restaurant with no food! Adam uses the information from Lucia, and…
1 Recipes Featured
Veneto
22minVeneto is one of the northernmost regions of Italy. It is home to many famous cities in Italy, including Verona, the inspiration for Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and Venice, the canal-based city that was once a gateway to the Middle-East and Asia. The town of Treviso, close to Venice, is the hub of Veneto’s good food – full of traditional restaurants, markets and fresh seafood, Adam explores…
1 Recipes Featured
Lombardia
22minLombardy is a region with a broad cross-section of terrains: plains to the south, mountains and lakes to the north. The destination for this episode is the lesser-known region of Nebbiolo in Lombardia’s east. To get there, Adam will pass through Milan, Lombardy’s most famous city, a mecca for design and fashion. Adam will peruse the streets of Milan and will also travel to smaller towns, such as…
1 Recipes Featured
Corsini Family
22minAdam’s back in Italy, but this time he is exploring a singular region: Tuscany. Beginning in Florence, Adam explores the quiet Tuscan countryside to discover a family home in the Val di Pesa that tells the story of one of Tuscany’s most successful families: The Corsini Family. He then heads south to Poggio Alloro, to see the giant white cows of Val di Chiana. He learns about Machiavelli, and…
1 Recipes Featured
Siena
22minThe only town in Tuscany to rival Florence is Siena, a town that flourished during the medieval era. Adam explores Siena’s defensive outpost of Monteriggioni, and learns about Siena’s battle strategies from local guide Chiara. Adam takes the Pilgrim’s Journey through the town, and visits the oldest surviving bank in the world. Of course, Adam explores delicious local recipes, such as Panforte, a…
1 Recipes Featured
Pienza
22minPienza is a famous renaissance city in Tuscany, and Adam travels there and tries the locally-famous pecorino cheese. He also stops by Montepulciano, a city founded by the Etruscans, and famous for its pici pasta. He tries this local delicacy, and pairs it with a delicious local Biondi-Santi wine. After experiencing the area’s delicacies, Adam creates his own version of pici…
1 Recipes Featured
Elba
22minAdam jumps on a ferry and heads to Elba, an island off of the Western coast of Italy. Elba was once home to Napoleon during his exile, and Adam learns about the famous emperor’s life and his favourite dish: Carcuccio. Adam learns how to cook the fisherman’s specialty pasta dish Penna in Barca, and tries his own quick and easy Australian version at…
1 Recipes Featured
Volterra
21minAdam visits the ancient city of Volterra, which is famous for its alabaster industry. Adam speaks with local guide Franz about how the influx of travellers to Volterra created a diverse and unique food culture. He learns about Leonardo Da Vinci’s favourite dish, Carabaccia, also known as French Onion Soup. Adam heads to local restaurant Del Duca to learn about the use of wild boar in Tuscan…
1 Recipes Featured
Pistoia
20minAdam visits Pistoia, a city famous for two diverse things: its metalworking industry, and its beautiful gardens. Adam explores Pistoia and learns about how the city flourished during the medieval period. He hunts for local mushrooms, and tries his hand at the famous local dish Penna alla Boscaiola, otherwise known as “Woodman’s Pasta”. He reflects on his pilgrimage in Tuscany, and brings together…
1 Recipes Featured