Acquaviva Picena is an ancient hamlet steeped in culture and traditions where memories are still strong of a rural civilization in which time was governed by the seasons.
It is a simple and authentic setting in which a keen sense of belonging was provided by the hearth, where people not only met and conversed, but also cooked their food, and the farmyard, where animals kept were probably the only source of protein in a primarily wheat- and legume-based diet.
Given the relative scarcity of feast days in the food calendar, the act itself of preparing food on these few occasions was filled with meaning, and the flavours were all the more memorable as a result.
Feast days were special occasions when new salamis were cut and served with cheese pizza or piconi (pecorino cheese ravioli), and lambs, rabbits,or turkeys were cooked with herbs and vegetables from the garden applying detailed recipes passed down from mother to daughter.
Such food customs are preserved in a robust culinary tradition of simple, wholesome recipes still only served on feast days.
On 27–29 June 2014, Acquaviva Picena will hold a festival dedicated to the theme “Secondi a nessuno”, a flavour-filled celebration of rural food from the Piceno area dedicated to the memory of the best main dishes to come out of rural kitchens, and the customs and traditions that accompany them: grape-harvest salt cod, for instance, or coniglio alla cacciatora, lamb salmì, ‘ncip ‘nciap chicken, each with its own unmistakeable aromas and flavours.
Piceno recipes
The ‘ncip ‘nciap chicken recipe
Serves 6
1.2 kg washed, cleaned and chopped chicken; 4 cloves of garlic; 2 sliced tomatoes; 1 sprig of rosemary; sage; 1 glass of dry white wine; salt and pepper.
Preparation
Cook the chicken in a pot with a little oil for 30–40 minutes. Pour in the wine and leave to evaporate. Flavour with rosemary, sage and garlic (unpeeled). Add salt and pepper, continue cooking. Before turning off the heat, add the tomato to soften the meat.
Travel tips
Accommodation
Santa Caterina (B&B)
Contrada Santa Caterina, 21; 3382214536; info@bbsantacaterina.it; www.bbsantacaterina.it
Eating out
Osteria del borgo
Viale Colombo 20; 0735765051
What to see
Museo delle armi antiche, Rocca di Acquaviva
March – May; October – February 10.30 am–12.30 pm; 3.30 pm–5.30 pm (public holidays and eve of public holidays)
June – September 10.30 am–12.30 pm; 5 pm–8 pm; 9 pm–11.30 pm (Mon–Sun)
Entrance fee Free of charge
What to buy
Decorarredi – picture framing, gilding, wood restoration, icons
Via Copernico 63; 0735595479; info@artforjob.it; www.artforjob.com
Piccole orme – Dolls’ shoes and key rings
Via G. Galilei 15; 0735 584919; info@artforjob.it; www.artforjob.com
Events
27-29 June
