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Wild peas (Lathyrus sativus) have been extremely common in the hilly hinterland of Lazio Region for a long time.
This legume actually comes from the far East, where it’s particularly appreciated, and usually grows on rocky soil.
The Campodimele species of these irregular legumes, light brown in colour with a delicate flavour, does not require any particular farming technique, thus avoiding expensive fertilization, chemical additives and irrigation. At the end of its lifecycle, plants are uprooted and beat to obtain new seeds. Extremely rich in proteins, these wild peas used to be a vital part of the farmers’ diet until the postwar period. For some time then, they were almost forgotten, and have been discovered again only in recent years. Nowadays, Campodimele Wild Peas features the D.O.P. (protected denomination of origin) certification and are celebrated in the town of Taverna, every year on August 6th. They are usually offered with sausages, wheat bread and tasty vine.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)