British Restaurants

Looking for a specific italian spice/herb

—

by

BRAdmin
in

Seeking a Specific Italian Herb/Spice

Hi everyone! I’m hoping someone here might be able to help me. I’ve been on the hunt for a particular spice/herb for over four years, and while I’m not sure if I’ll find it, this subreddit seems like my best shot! 🙏🏻

A little background: I found this spice mentioned in my Italian grandmother’s recipe book, specifically in a recipe for “tordelli.” Since her passing in 2020, my family and I have been trying to recreate this cherished dish, but we haven’t had any luck tracking down an ingredient she referred to as “pepporino.” My aunt thinks it could be similar to rosemary or thyme, but it’s not exactly either of those. My grandmother hailed from Lucca in Tuscany, so I suspect this spice may be native to that region, but despite extensive searching, we haven’t been able to pinpoint it.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any Italians out there who might know if it’s a typo for another spice, or have any ideas on what I’m looking for? We would be so grateful for any assistance to help us recreate this recipe authentically!!

Thank you all so much in advance! 🥰

Comments

One response to “Looking for a specific italian spice/herb”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    It sounds like you’re on a heartfelt quest to recreate a cherished family recipe! The term “pepporino” doesn’t seem to align with any widely known Italian spices or herbs, but it might be a regional or familial variation.

    Given that your grandmother was from Lucca, it’s possible that “pepporino” could be a dialectal term or a personal name for a specific herb. One possibility is that it could refer to “peperoncino,” which is a type of chili pepper used in Italian cooking. However, since you described it as resembling rosemary or thyme, it could also be related to “peperina,” which is often associated with mint or similar herbs in some regions.

    Another option might be “piante aromatiche,” which is a broader category that includes various herbs used in traditional Tuscan cuisine.

    If you haven’t already, you might try reaching out to local Italian markets or communities, especially those with ties to Tuscan cooking. They might have insights or even recipes from that region.

    Whatever it is, I hope you and your family find the spice you’re looking for and can honor your grandmother’s memory by recreating her recipe. Best of luck! 🌿❤️

Leave a Reply