The gastronomy of Caserta is based on products from the soil, a particular attention goes to the traditional flavours of this area. A great start begins with the famous buffalo mozzarella Campana DOP, produced in the Piana del Sele in the Province of Salerno in the area between Ager Falernum and Castel Volturno and prepared with milk taken only from animals bred with natural cattle feed. The preparation takes all the experience of the master cheese makers, the ones that are skilled in cutting ("mozzare") the hot stringy paste.
The "mouldy cheese" ("caso peruto") is an original variation of the many goat cheese preparations that are part of the daily food uses of the local families, The name comes from its special flavour, strong and spicey .
This speciality is typical of the volcanic areas of Roccamonfina and of Monte Maggiore, in the province of Caserta, produced with fresh goat milk, curdled with vegetable oil, filtered from thistle flowers.
These are just two examples of the local cheeses that we suggest not to miss between the various local products and please also try the local salami.
The first courses are mainly of fresh home-made pasta (tagliolini and gnocchi) or legume soups; whilst between the main courses we suggest meats of the local farms, cooked in many different ways
In the marsh plain of Mazzoni, the specialities are the eels and frog leg soups, whilst in the Valley of Maddaloni there are rich cultivations of artichokes and "annurca" apples. Of interest are the cherry and tasty chestnut cultures of Roccamonfina.
In the province of Caserta there are 3 famous varieties of olive oil: Terre Aurunche, Terre del Matese e Colline Caiatine. Each product is different in colour, flavour and taste.
Not to miss: the wild strawberries of Vairano Patenora.
Between the wine selection worth of mention are: Asprinio di Aversa DOC, Galluccio DOC, Falerno del Massico DOC, already famous at the times of Plinius and Marziale, from Ovidio and Cicerone, Pallagrello, Falanghina Roccamonfina, Cecubo and Terra di Lavoro.