Description
The Lenticchia di Onano PGI refers to the dry seed belonging to the cultivars Eston and the local ecotype Lenticchia di Onano, of the botanical species Lens culinaris Medik.
Production Area
The production area of Lenticchia di Onano PGI is within the entire territory of the municipalities of Acquapendente, Gradoli, Grotte di Castro, Latera, Onano and San Lorenzo Nuovo, in the Province of Viterbo, in the Lazio region.
Production Method
The cultivation of Lenticchia di Onano PGI requires that soil preparation, ploughing or similar operations be carried out in the period between January and March. Sowing can be carried out either by hand or mechanically, between January and April; no type of fertilizer is permitted. The harvest takes place between June 15th and August 30th each year; the harvested product is then mechanically threshed and cleaned. Production must not exceed 2.5 tonnes of grain per hectare. The cleaned lentils can subsequently be disinfected and stored in warehouses for at least 7 days, or placed in cold rooms for at least 10 days at a temperature of -20 °C or lower. The product is then cleaned a second time by discarding small lentils.
Appearance and Flavour
Lenticchia di Onano PGI comes in the form of seeds with a diameter of between 3 and 8 mm. They are flat with a smooth, thin skin, and the colour ranges from greenish to light brown with various degrees of marbling.
History
The cultivation of Lenticchia di Onano PGI has very ancient origins, with the first evidence of the presence of lentils in the Onano area dating back to the Middle Ages. In 1874, they appeared at the universal exhibition in Paris under the name of “lenticchie dionanine”, and between 1910 and 1911 they were present at numerous international exhibitions in London, Paris and Buenos Aires, under the name of Lenticchia di Onano. In 1964, it was the only product under the entry "lentils" protected by the agreement between France and Italy for the protection of the name and origin of certain agri-food products, entitled Convention on the protection of appellations of origin, indications of source and designations of certain products.
Gastronomy
Lenticchia di Onano PGI can be preserved for a long time if stored in a cool, dry place. It does not need soaking before cooking, while the seed remains intact after cooking, with a smooth, fine and creamy paste. Its distinctive characteristics make it ideal as a side dish, cooked with garlic, celery, carrot and pig cheek or tomato sauce, to accompany cooked cured meats such as sausages, Cotechino Modena PGI and Zampone Modena PGI. There are numerous typical recipes in the area where it is used, such as Onano Lentil Soup or, as a condiment, with Quadrucci egg pasta, or in modern reinterpretations such as Onano Lentil Lasagna. It is served stewed with game like grey partridge.
Marketing
Lenticchia di Onano PGI must be placed on the market in bags of 250 g to 5 kg, also in a controlled atmosphere, or bags up to 25 kg. The contents of each bag must be homogeneous in size and there must be no alterations in colour or external appearance, with a maximum overall tolerance of 2% of the product being split, stained, dull or altered in terms of colour.
Distinctive Features
Lenticchia di Onano PGI is particularly rich in iron and proteins, with a low sugar content, thanks to the mineral-rich soils of volcanic origin and the particular climatic conditions, influenced by the mitigating action of Lake Bolsena, with temperatures below 24 °C until July and peaks above 30 °C with water shortages in August, during ripening. These conditions favour the absorption of minerals, determining the lentil seeds’ unique characteristics.
