The town of Norcia, in the highlands of Umbria, is the source of some of the best pork products in all of Italy – also, strangely enough, a source of excellent lentils and black truffles.
A norceria – producer and outlet for all kinds of pork products – in Norcia, the town from which the term “norceria” is derived.
Norcia is famous in part because Saint Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine monastic order, and his twin sister, Saint Scholastica, were born in here in 480. The Basilica of San Benedetto of Norcia dominates the main piazza, and in recent years the monks from a re-established monastery nearby have made it possible to attend Vespers and Compline to hear Gregorian chant in the crypt of the Basilica.
Less spiritual aspects of life are served by the extremely high quality gastronomic specialities of Norcia, namely every kind of pork sausage, prosciutto, salami etc, plus delicate lentils and black truffles. The lentils require much less boiling than those from elsewhere, possibly due to the variety or, as the locals claim, because they are grown at such a high altitude. There is a major truffle festival in Norcia during February every year.
More about Norcia in Umbria.
About Elena Spolaor
Although Elena was born in Venice, she was brought up in Tuscany and is a historian and frequent contributor to online articles about life in Tuscany and Umbria. Her specialities are Tuscan and Umbrian local history and folklore.
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