CUCUZZA ALLA PUVIREDDA

In the Salento region, courgettes - 'cucuzza' in dialect - are a very common vegetable in the local cuisine and a typical dish of the Mediterranean diet. It can be used in many different recipes and ways of cooking. La cucuzza si coci cu l'acqua sua stessa" ("The cucuzza is cooked in its own water"), is an old and famous proverb from the Brindisi area, which refers to the characteristics of this vegetable, rich in water and active ingredients. Cucuzza alla puviredda can be understood as a poor man's dish, prepared in the past by peasants. It was cooked "spritta e tagghiata", in other words cut into cubes and fried with plenty of extra virgin olive oil, garlic and onion. The aroma that the cucuzza alla puviredda releases during cooking is delicious and very intense, so much so that it makes you realise that you are tasting it. It can also be served with a sprinkling of pecorino cheese and mint leaves, other typical ingredients of the area.