Skip to Content
Features

Making Olive all’ascolana, Le Marche’s Signature Dish

Andrew Cotto visits Cremini's in Brooklyn, a restaurant devoted to the cuisine of Le Marche, including its famed olive all'ascolana.

Olive Ascolana at Cremini's Aperitivo & Kitchen in Brooklyn.

Olive all’ascolana at Cremini’s Aperitivo & Kitchen in Brooklyn.

One of the missions of Appetito is to share the cuisine and charms of the lesser-traversed regions. Le Marche is a perfect example as it is an unfettered gem, full of ancient yet modernized cities, picturesque villages, vineyards and groves, and mountains that look over the sea. Located on the Adriatic Coast in central Italy, Le Marche is easily reached by car from Rome or Florence (there's also a bus from Rome and a train from Florence).

The provincial capital of Ascoli Piceno is a quaint city, about 10 miles inland, with what is considered one of the most impressive piazzas in all of Italy, Piazza del Popolo. This historic city, occupied by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, its structures made of travertine, a terrestrial limestone, is also recognized for its cuisine. The signature dish, olive all'ascolana, is made with local olives, which are pitted then stuffed with a flavorful ground meat combination before being breaded and fried. You will find this dish, typically served as a starter or as part of a Sunday lunch, throughout the region.

Olive Ascolana.
Olive all'ascolana, the signature dish of Le Marche.

You can find Olives all'ascolana in America at Cremini's Aperitivo & Kitchen in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (also available nationwide for delivery through their contact page). In the video below, Appetito's Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Cotto, visits Cremini's to meet chef and co-owner, Elena Salati, to learn more about Le Marche and how to make the region's signature dish. Check it out!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Appetito

Bay Area Chefs Join Mr. Espresso for Summer Iced Coffee Series

Mr. Espresso’s Oakland café is spotlighting four inventive iced coffee drinks this summer, each created in partnership with a local chef and packed with global inspiration.

August 5, 2025

How to Make Westlight’s NA “Champagne’ Cocktail”

The drink is Westlight's "favorite nonalcoholic sparkler by a landslide."

August 5, 2025

Italian Festivals Across America 2025: Coast to Coast Celebrations

Italian festivals across the U.S. return from August to October 2025, blending food, tradition, and community in cities from New York to San Francisco.

August 4, 2025

The Noortwyck Apéro Hour Offers Affordable Sips and Bites in the West Village 

The Noortwyck in NYC's West Village now offers sips and sophisticated small plates at “approachable prices.”

August 1, 2025

How to Make NOLET’s Strawberry Negroni Spritz

NOLET Gin has shared an ideal summer spritz recipe that includes strawberry infusion and aspects of the classic negroni.

August 1, 2025
See all posts