The Excellences of Viticuso
The typical products of Viticuso go beyond mere gastronomy. They are excellence in terms of authenticity in production and play a very important role in the ancient agropastoral tradition of the village.
ABBUÓTO (pronounced abbuótö, with a silent final “o”)
The king of Viticuso’s gastronomy is the abbuóto of Viticuso. It is a cooked sausage made from lamb meat with spices and a filling of egg and bell pepper. Once prepared, it is sliced before consumption. It is a unique food in its kind, as unlike products with a similar name, it does not contain offal or entrails. In ancient times, shepherds, warriors, or bandits produced the Viticuso abbuóto to preserve meat and be able to consume it even in the mountains, days after the animals were slaughtered. The abbuóto of Viticuso is a unique product, not found in the gastronomic tradition of other countries.
As described in the “Origine Comune” project by Anci Lazio, “it has a characteristic cylindrical shape and is wrapped in netting. Its brown color is quite uniform, with evident traces of hard-boiled eggs and spices. On the nose it has an intense aroma, with notes of cooked mutton, garlic and vegetal and vinous nuances. On the palate it is balanced, with sweet, salty and savoury flavours, accompanied by a light acidic, bitter and spicy note. It has a medium chewiness and a persistent aroma”.
POTATOES
The quality of high-altitude potato cultivation is widely known because it ensures products of absolute excellence that require no treatments or phytosanitary care. The altitude and sun exposure of the fields, with significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, prevent the proliferation of infections and harmful diseases.
The plain where Viticuso potatoes are grown is the bed of a dried-up lake from centuries ago, and this, combined with crop rotation, guarantees an extremely rich mineral content in the soil and eliminates the need for organic or chemical fertilizers. For these reasons, Viticuso potatoes are highly sought after by connoisseurs and enthusiasts of healthy cuisine.
SAUSAGES/SALAMI
The tradition in the preparation of these cured meats is ingrained in every Viticuso family. Viticuso sausage is synonymous with taste and authenticity in all neighboring towns.
HONEY
The precious honey of Viticuso is produced by Franchitti Carmela and Branca Salvatore (Beekeeping Registry IT091RMV09 and IT039RM060).
For inquiries, please contact:
- Carmela: 339 722 2595
- Salvo: 333 577 2504
