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PhrasesAt the MarketHa lenticchie di Castelluccio?
B1

Ha lenticchie di Castelluccio?

Do you have Castelluccio lentils?

Pronunciation

a len-TIK-kye di kas-tel-LU-cho

When to use it

Asking for a specific protected variety of lentil at a dried legume stall.

What it means

Lenticchie di Castelluccio di Norcia IGP are tiny, thin-skinned lentils grown on the Piano Grande plateau in Umbria at 1,400m altitude. They need no soaking and cook in 20 minutes, retaining their shape. They are one of Italy's most sought-after dried legumes.

Variations

Ha fagioli borlotti secchi?

Do you have dried borlotti beans?

Asking for another classic Italian dried bean

Quanto ci vuole per cuocerle?

How long does it take to cook them?

Asking the vendor for cooking time

Vanno messe in ammollo?

Do they need soaking?

Asking about soaking — Castelluccio lentils famously do not

Mini Dialogue

— Ha lenticchie di Castelluccio? — Sì, quelle con l'IGP — mezzo chilo? — Sì, perfetto. Quanto ci vogliono per cuocerle? — Venti minuti, senza ammollo — sono meravigliose!

— Do you have Castelluccio lentils? — Yes, the IGP ones — half a kilo? — Yes, perfect. How long do they take to cook? — Twenty minutes, no soaking — they're marvellous!

Cultural Note

The Piano Grande di Castelluccio in the Sibillini Mountains blooms with wildflowers in June, creating one of Italy's most spectacular landscapes. The lentils are harvested in August at altitude and celebrated at the Fiorita festival each summer.