Calabria—the southwesternmost region of Italy—lies between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. The region includes the provinces of Catanzaro, Reggio Calabria, Cosenza, Crotone, and Vibo Valentia. Compared to other parts of Italy that have been plagued with over-tourism, this historically and culturally rich region has largely remained off-the-beaten-path.
Since about 1870, successive waves of Italian immigration brought many aspects of Calabrian traditions and culture to America. Yet, the big, bold (and often spicy) regional foods and ingredients that characterize the cuisine of Calabria are still hard to find and purchase in the U.S, even online.