Fava di Zollino

PAT - Traditional Agricultural Food Product

Place of Origin

Acquarica del Capo (Lecce)

 

Fava di Zollino, locally called "Cuccia", is a type of broad bean larger than the other common beans and with no more than five seeds per pod.

It is mainly a family product and listed as a Traditional Agricultural Food Product (PAT) of Puglia.

 

Fava di Zollino are cultivated following planting methods passed down from generations. This includes using beans from previous year which are carefully chosen by the farmers.

This broad bean grows well on calcareous clay soils, often protected from the winter frosts by olive trees.

They are sown in November and harvested in April to be eaten fresh, or in May, when the all plant is picked up. After collecting the plants these are left under the sun and once dried they are beaten with sticks to separate the beans. They are then set apart using machines or by hand.

The Zollino beans are locally used to make recipes such as "Mashed broad beans with chicory" or vegetable soups.

In June, on the occasion of the feast of San Giovanni, the town of Zollino helds the "Festival della Fava".