saffron

A story that explains the absence of saffron recipes in Abruzzesi cookbooks from the past and a look at recipes today, delicious ones to try at home with Abruzzo’s most exotic spice

Autumn in Abruzzo has many an harvest that you can follow, but the saffron ”raccolta’ has to be one of the most beautiful, despite scoring high on the backbreaking level for those that cultivate Abruzzo’s red gold gold! A weekend in  L’Aquila province either in Navelli or Fontecchio gives the chance to get away to pick, eat and learn crafts associated with this precious spice

Saffron batter – a decadent, glorious way to celebrate Epiphany or something a little flashy to take your mind off your bank balance

Navelli in L’Aquila is famous for two autumn crops, saffron & chickpeas, combined with rainbow chard they make the perfect one-pot dish

Navelli has a new found growing fame as host to an alternative Palio; the colourful Palio degli Asini –yep a unmissable Donkey Race like no other in the world

How the Italian Renaissance love of bling picked-up the fortunes of Navelli in L’Aquila via the production of saffron, its precious red gold spice