Peperone crusco
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The peperone crusco ('crispy pepper', peperoni cruschi) also known as 'crusco pepper', is a typical product of the Italian region of Basilicata. It is recognized as a prodotto agroalimentare tradizionale (traditional regional food product). Being deeply rooted in local cuisine, it is often characterized as "the red gold of Basilicata". It is also fairly common in Calabria and limited uses can be found in Apulia, Abruzzo, and
Molise it, Molisano (man) it, Molisana (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = , demographics1_footnotes = , demographics1_title1 = , demographics1_info1 ...
.


Description

It is a dried and sweet-flavoured type of ''
capsicum annuum ''Capsicum annuum'' is a species of the plant genus ''Capsicum'' native to southern North America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. This species is the most common and extensively cultivated of the five domesticated capsicums. The spec ...
'', cultivated in Basilicata since the 1600s. Usually the Senise pepper variety is used for its preparation, for the thin pulp and low water content which make it easier to be dried. It can assume three shapes: pointed, conical or hooked.


Cultivation

Sowing begins in spring and harvest between July and August. Peppers are placed on cloths for three days in shady and dry places. Afterwards, they are tied with a lace forming garlands, called ''serte'', and dried outdoors in the summer period. By tradition, they are hung on windows, balconies and houses' walls.


Culinary uses

The peperoni cruschi are a staple of Lucanian cuisine. They can be consumed on their own as a vegetable chip, as a
side dish A side dish, sometimes referred to as a side order, side item, or simply a side, is a food item that accompanies the entrée or main course at a meal.pasta con i peperoni cruschi'', '' baccalà alla lucana'', '' acquasale'', and ''pane cotto''. It is also used as a powder flavour to enrich meat, legumes, bakery products, chocolate and ice cream.


See also

*
Cuisine of Basilicata The cuisine of Basilicata, or Lucanian cuisine, is the cuisine of the Basilicata region of Italy. It is mainly based on the use of pork and sheep meat, legumes, cereals and vegetables, with the addition of aromas such as hot peppers, powdere ...
*
List of dried foods This is a list of dried foods. Food drying is a method of food preservation that works by removing water from the food, which inhibits the growth of bacteria and has been practiced worldwide since ancient times to preserve food. Where or when d ...


References


Further reading

* {{Capsicum Cultivars Cuisine of Basilicata Capsicum cultivars Peppers Italian snack foods