Villa Paola Gardens
Tropea (VV)
Vegetables, citrus, strawberries, and Tropea onions
Occupying a former 16th-century convent, Villa Paola is surrounded by the colours and scents of a Mediterranean garden that overlooks the white beaches and rocky cliffs of the Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods).
There, you’ll find a lush citrus grove and vegetable gardens where local farmers grow the fruit and vegetables found in the dishes at Capovaticano Resort. The short supply chain is controlled every step of the way concerning local traditions and the natural rhythm of the seasons.
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The Order of Minimi monks lived there and sat at the table with austerity.
Lean is an apt descriptor for the cuisine enjoyed by the Minimi Friars, a predecessor of the Mediterranean diet that was codified more than 500 years ago by San Francesco da Paola, a Calabrian friar and hermit.
Fish, vegetables, legumes, and grains–the monk observed this spartan, fat-free diet his whole life and passed it on to his followers. They all benefited from longevity–perhaps due to the fibre-rich diet and clean Mediterranean air.
