Basilicata in southern Italy is perhaps one of the country's more overlooked regions. With the dolce vita lifestyle of Campania's Amalfi coast and the beautiful beaches of Puglia to contend with, the more remote and rural landscape of Basilicata makes it a bit of an undiscovered gem. When it comes to food, however, it stands strong – widely regarded as the original birthplace of pasta, there's plenty for the intrepid foodie to taste.

This collection of Basilicata recipes proves just that. La cucina povera is at its strongest here, with many dishes comprised of just a few humble ingredients. Ciammotta is a ratatouille-like stew that lives or dies by the quality of the produce, while Pasta mollicata makes the most of breadcrumbs and anchovies to create a stunning bowl of comfort food. Basilicata is known for its wheat, which is why dishes such as Calzone di verdura and Pizza rustica (which is actually a pie, not a pizza) are ubiquitous. And for something truly unusual, take a look at Rafanata – an omelette-style dish made with mashed potatoes, pecorino cheese and fresh horseradish.