Pesto, Pasta, and the Cinque Terre

Pesto, Pasta, and the Cinque Terre

Liguria may be known best for the Cinque Terre, but travel up the coast and you’ll discover a hidden gem: the charming surf town of Levanto, also known as ‘the northern door of the Cinque Terre.’ Similar to the Cinque Terre — or ‘five lands’ — Levanto is populated with colorful houses, 20th-century villas overlooking the sea, and small vineyards producing Sciacchetrà wine. The cuisine here too hails from the garden, sea, and woods, making any local dish a veritable feast of the senses. From seafood to honey, marmalades, and olive patés, delicacies abound. But don’t forget about the herbs — rosemary, sage, thyme, and most importantly basil — as they play an integral role in the regional cuisine, such as the famous Genovese pesto.