One of the most famous typical products of Abruzzo are the lentils from Santo Stefano di Sessanio. They are a rare breed of brown-violet-colored that are very small and have been cultivated here in Santo Stefano di Sessanio since ancient times, even before 1000 AC.
The lentils from Santo Stefano di Sessanio
are cultivated at an altitude between 1200 and 1400 meters in dry
ground. This ground gives them a such an intense flavor that it has made them
very famous in Italy and all
the Europe, so that they are sought by the
most important chefs of the world.
Today, the cultivation of the lentils from
Santo Stefano di Sessanio is decreasing and they are now produced just for
family consumption. That is why this typical product is protected by Slow Food
Presidium with the help of the National Park
of Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains.
How to cook the lentils: the lentils recipes in Abruzzo
One of the most famous lentil recipes is lentil soup. This is the recipe for the traditional lentil soup in Santo Stefano di Sessanio and in Abruzzo.
Ingredients:
- 200 grams of lentils from Santo Stefano di Sessanio
- 60 grams of olive oil
- garlic
- toasted bread
- salt
1- Put the lentils in a pot of water and let them soak over night.
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Lentil soup from Santo Stefano di Sessanio |