The peperone crusco ('crispy pepper', peperoni cruschi) also known as 'crusco pepper',
is a typical product of the Italian region of
Basilicata
it, Lucano (man) it, Lucana (woman)
, population_note =
, population_blank1_title =
, population_blank1 =
, demographics_type1 =
, demographics1_footnotes =
, demographics1_title1 =
, demographics1_info1 =
...
.
It is recognized as a
prodotto agroalimentare tradizionale
''Prodotto agroalimentare tradizionale'' (PAT) is an official approval for traditional Italian regional food products similar to the Protected Geographical Status of the European Union. A list of approved products is published by the Ministry of ...
(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
, population_note =
, population_blank1_title =
, population_blank1 =
, demographics_type1 =
, demographics1_footnotes =
, demographics1_title1 =
, demographics1_info1 =
, demographics1_title2 ...
and limited uses can be found in
Apulia
it, Pugliese
, population_note =
, population_blank1_title =
, population_blank1 =
, demographics_type1 =
, demographics1_footnotes =
, demographics1_title1 =
, demographics1_info1 =
, demographic ...
,
Abruzzo
Abruzzo (, , ; nap, label=Neapolitan language, Abruzzese Neapolitan, Abbrùzze , ''Abbrìzze'' or ''Abbrèzze'' ; nap, label=Sabino dialect, Aquilano, Abbrùzzu; #History, historically Abruzzi) is a Regions of Italy, region of Southern Italy wi ...
, and
Molise
Molise (, , ; nap, label=Neapolitan language, Neapolitan, Mulise) is a Regions of Italy, region of Southern Italy. Until 1963, it formed part of the region of Abruzzi e Molise, alongside the region of Abruzzo. The split, which did not become effe ...
.
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
Vegetable chips (also referred to as veggie chips) are chips (crisps) that are prepared using vegetables other than potatoes. Vegetable chips may be fried, deep-fried, dehydrated, dried or baked. Many different root vegetables or leaf vegetable ...
, 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
Pasta con i peperoni cruschi is an Italian pasta dish flavored with peppers and typical of the Basilicata region.
Description
The main ingredient is peperone crusco, a dried and crunchy pepper known for its sweet flavour and intense colour, ...
'', ''
baccalà alla lucana
Baccalà alla lucana is a traditional dish from Basilicata in southern Italy, particularly widespread in the area of the comune of Avigliano and therefore also known as baccalà all'aviglianese. A typical Christmas dish, it is made of cod and c ...
'', ''
acquasale
''Acquasale'' is a typical dish in southern Italian cuisine, especially in Campania, Basilicata, and Apulia regions.
It is made of stale bread, onions, tomatoes, peppers, eggs
Humans and human ancestors have scavenged and eaten animal ...
'', 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