The city of Lucca is famous for its extraordinary Renaissance walls, for its history and the beauty of its historic center, but not only that. Lucca is also known for its rich and varied food and wine tradition, which reflects the culture and resources of the territory.
There is a collection called ‘Il Paniere Lucchese’ where all the products of the area of Lucca are listed, from those grown in the fields as vegetables and fruit, to typical dairy products such as pecorino lucchese cheese or various cold cuts, and then at the top there is the local extra virgin olive oil and of course the wine of the hills of Lucca and of an area still in the province of Lucca called Montecarlo.
I’m not going to list all the products of the Paniere Lucchese, not even all the typical recipes, but I will introduce those recipes that go beyond being typical and traditional, the ones that represent the city of Lucca.
1.BUCCELLATO
In first place there is the BUCCELLATO. The motto says: those who come to Lucca and don’t eat buccellato are as if they had never been to Lucca – the Italian vernacular version is “un’andà a dì che a Lucca ci sei stato se il buccellato al Taddeucci un’hai mangiato”. In fact, tasting buccellato at Taddeucci bakery shop in Piazza San Michele is absolutely a must! The main ingredients are flour, anise and raisins.
2. CHINA MASSAGLI
If you then take a few steps further on, you will find the Massagli Pharmacy which offers CHINA MASSAGLI, a herbal liqueur, created in 1855 by Dr. Pasquale Massagli in his pharmacy to treat malaria.
3.TORDELLI LUCCHESI
Moreover, there is the famous TORDELLI dish, fresh pasta filled with beef and pork, bread soaked in broth, parmesan, eggs and herbs, all with meat sauce.
4. SOUPS AND STEWS
Last, but not least there are soups and stews:
- ZUPPA DI FARRO – farro is spelt, a typical grain grown in the Garfagnana area, north side of the province of Lucca;
- FARINATA – whose main ingredient is corn flour, another product of Garfagnana;
- GARMUGIA – a soup of ancient tradition, typically served in spring.
4. NECCI
In short, visiting Lucca also means tasting its cuisine, made indeed of simple ingredients but that will not disappoint your palate at all!
And I didn’t mention my favorite! The mouthwatering NECCI, made with chestnut flour of Garfagnana, a typical autumn treat. Well, they might look similar to pancakes, but they are made differently and they are then filled with local fresh ricotta cheese. Incredibly delicious!
Did I make you hungry? … Then come to Lucca!
Michela Di Francesco
+39 329 8053697