Peperone crusco
{{Short description|Variety of dry pepper typical of Lucanian cuisine}}
{{Italics title}}
{{Infobox cultivar
| name = Peperone crusco
| image = Lamie archi in volta.jpg
| image_caption =
| species = Capsicum annuum
| origin = Basilicata, Italy
| module = {{Infobox pepper
| embed = yes
| heat = None
}}
}}
The peperone crusco ('crispy pepper' in the local dialects), also known as crusco pepper{{Cite web |url=https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/trip-to-italy/southern-italy/crusco-peppers-the-red-necklaces-of-basilicata-towns?refresh_ce=|title=Crusco Peppers: the Red Necklaces of Basilicata Towns |date=16 September 2019|access-date= 17 September 2020|website=lacucinaitaliana.com}} outside Italy, is a typical product of the Basilicata region of Italy.
It is recognised as a {{lang|it|prodotto agroalimentare tradizionale}} (PAT).{{Cite web |url=https://www.topfooditaly.net/prodotto/peperoni-cruschi/?v=2a47ad90f2ae|title=Peperoni cruschi|access-date= 17 September 2020|website=topfooditaly.net}} Being deeply rooted in local cuisine, it is often characterised as "the red gold of Basilicata".
Peperone crusco is also fairly common in Calabria and limited uses can be found in Apulia, Abruzzo and Molise.{{Cite web|url=https://www.saporideisassi.it/blog/come-si-friggono-e-si-preparano-i-peperoni-cruschi/|access-date=23 September 2020|title=Come si friggono e si preparano i peperoni cruschi|language=it|website=saporideisassi.it|date=19 February 2018 }}
Description
It is a dried and sweet-flavoured type of Capsicum annuum, 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/senise-pepper/|title=Senise Pepper |access-date= 17 September 2020|website=fondazioneslowfood.com}} It can assume three shapes: pointed, conical or hooked.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}
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, and as a flavour enhancer.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/peperoni-cruschi|title=Peperoni cruschi |access-date= 16 September 2020|website=tasteatlas.com}} Regularly they are cleaned with a dry cloth or kitchen paper, deprived of the petiole and the seeds and flash-fried for one or two seconds in hot olive oil, achieving a crispy texture after cooling down.{{Cite web |url=https://www.the-pasta-project.com/cavatelli-pasta-with-peperoni-cruschi/|title=Cavatelli pasta with peperoni cruschi|date=25 September 2017|access-date= 16 September 2020|website=the-pasta-project.com}} Among traditional dishes with peperone crusco as a relevant ingredient are 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.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}
See also
{{Portal|Italy|Food}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/jul/09/basilicata-italy-cruschi-sun-dried-red-peppers | title=Moreish crunch, smoky tang: red peppers of Italy's far south| work=The Guardian | date=9 July 2017 | access-date=27 October 2020 | author=Boulter, Liz}}
{{Capsicum Cultivars}}