The Lentils from Castelluccio of Norcia are shown to consumer with a variegated colour ranging from mottled green to light brown , with brindle seeds.
The lentil cultivation area of Castelluccio of Norcia is the plateau of Castelluccio on a total surface area of about 20 square km lying for the part of the “Pian Grande” and “Pian Piccolo”, in the small municipality of Norcia, and for the part of “Pian Perduto” in the municipality of Castelsantangelo sul Nera (Macerata) with an average altitude of 1400 m. above the sea level. The production area lies entirely in the Sibillini National Park.
Called by the inhabitants of Castelluccio “Lénta” is the country’s representative product. The use of this legume is ancient as evidenced by the discovery of seeds in Neolithic tombs dated 3000 BC.
The lentil is an annual plant, which blooms between May and August, belonging to the legume family. The unmistakable flavor, very small size, resistance to pests and the organic cultivation only, now make of it a very sought product. It is sown as soon as the snowpack is completely dissolved.
Between late May and early July, the plateau of Castelluccio is a witness to an event of major importance, “Flowering”. For several weeks the chromatic monotony of grassland is broken by a mosaic of colors, with variations in color ranging from yellow ocher to red. Although the feast of the “Fiorita” falls into the third and last Sunday of June, there is a clear day to enjoy this enchanting show. Every year everything is entrusted to the climate of the season. Towards the end of July beginning of August it is collected.