COOKING: A RESEARCH ON THE ANCIENT TASTES OF THE BRADANICA AREA

The associates of the cooperative “Il Mandorlo” with the support of the local Action Group “Bradanica” made a-year-long study on the fragrances, spices, plants and food of the peasants’ tradition of the bradanica area (the province of Matera – involving Grassano, Grottole, Irsina, Montescaglioso, Miglionico e Pomarico. This research put in evidence the aromas of the past and the matching of season raw stuffs (hard corn flour, olive oil, vegetables, spices and spontaneous and almost unknown plants. For this reason a recipe-book and a herbs-book were created. These books teach traditional dishes of this area and virtues of certain spices and plants both for cooking and for medical purposes. The President of this cooperative Sowerio Buono explained this activity has the purpose to let people meet some almost unknown aspects of local cooking and to promote tourism at the same time. This work was also noticed by the guide “Gambero Rosso”.