Description
The Lenteja de La Armuña PGI is a dried legume, separated from the pod; it derives from the Lens culinris medicus species, of the Rubia de La Armuña variety.
Production Area
The Production Area of the Lenteja de La Armuña PGI is located in 34 municipal areas located in the district of Salamanca, main town of the district of the same name, in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León.
Production Method
The first step is the preparation of the ground; the sowing is conducted in autumn, using 120-130 kg of seeds per hectare. The lentils are mechanically harvested at the end of June or July, when they reach the correct maturation level. The grain of the lentils is separated from the pod when they are dried and mature. The legumes are cleaned via vibration, kept in dry places and checked for foreign bodies and imperfect lentils. They are then sorted according to size and packed. There is one final check before the labelling and dispatching.
Appearance and Flavour
The Lenteja de La Armuña PGI have a maximum diameter of 9 mm, they have a clear green colour and can be streaky. After cooking, they have an exquisitely characteristic flavour and aroma.
History
The history of Lenteja de La Armuña PGI has very ancient origins tied to the traditions of the area of production. The edapho-climatic conditions of the district of Salamanca have always favoured the cultivation of the Lenteja, in the past it was a fundamental part of the diet of the native populations. The cultivation and consumption of the lentils can be found in various literary documents and agricultural agreements over the course of time.
Gastronomy
The Lenteja de La Armuña PGI can be kept for a long time in fresh and dry environments. Before cooking, they can be eaten in various ways. Lenteja de La Armuña PGI is good for cooking, it does not come apart and the peel does not come away from the flesh, which makes it ideal for cooking soups, in salads, side dishes and vegetable soups. It is perfect as a side dish and goes very well with pasta, rice and sausages.
Marketing
The product is sold as Lenteja de La Armuña PGI in classes Extra and I, depending on size. It is packed in material bags of 1 kg.
Distinctive Features
The peculiar climate of the production area, characterised by long, cold winters and short, hot summers creates ideal conditions for the cultivation of Lenteja de La Armuña PGI, also the brown and brown-red deep soils which are neutral or slightly alkaline mean that the lentils are rich in protein and contain a higher quantity of calcium and iron.
