THE RIVER PO TROUGH LAND, WATER AND FOOD FROM THE “BASSA PIACENTINA”

The Strada del Po e dei Sapori della Bassa Piacentina itinerary, stretches on 100 km through a series of borough full of history, surrounded by lawns.
From Caorso, the trail continues through Monticelli d’Ongina, Castelvetro Piacentino, Villanova sull’Arda, San Pietro in Cerro, Besenzone e Cortemaggiore.These areas, full of history and taste, also guard a treasure witnessed by excellence in food and wine.
The tourist who goes along this path among castles and borough on the banks of rivers, can stay in a typical tavern along the Po river whose hosts offer traditional dishes from the Great River: from anguilla affumicata (smoked eel), to stricc’ in carpion (soused fish), fried ambolina (a sweet water fish), catfish and frogs.
Of course, lowland Piacenza province areas also offer cheese such as Grana DOP and Provolone Valpadana DOP, Cacio del Po, along with the three DOP cured meats from Piacenza (Coppa, Salame and Pancetta) served with grass pist, Culatello, Fiocchetto,  Salame Gentile and the well-known anolini (filled pasta immersed in meat broth).
Among vegetables you can find the white garlic from Monticelli d’Ongina and tomatoes. Not to mention fruit: cherries from Villanova d’Arda and a wide variety of ancient fruits such as the quince. Veritable gem among desserts is Spongata, along with Torta Sbrisolona to be tasted with wines such as Marsala all’uovo, Bargnolino and Nocino.