Rafanata
TypeSavoury
Place of originItaly
Region or stateBasilicata
Main ingredientsEggs, horseradish, cheese

Rafanata is an egg-based dish from the Italian region of Basilicata. The name comes from rafano, the main ingredient of the dish, which mean "horseradish" in Italian. It is a kind of baked frittata made with horseradish, potatoes and cheese;[1] Another type of rafanata includes sausage.[2] Rafanata is typical of the Carnival and winter periods.

It is featured in Jamie Oliver's book Jamie Cooks Italy.[3] With a ministerial decree of 25 February 2022, rafanata entered the list of traditional Lucanian agri-food products (PAT).[4]

History

A dish of peasant origin, it takes its name from horseradish, the rhizome of the plant Armoracia rusticana, a root with a strongly balsamic and spicy taste, probably introduced by the Normans in Basilicata around the 11th century. Horseradish is an essential ingredient of traditional Lucanian cuisine; it often appeared on the tables of farmers and shepherds, being inexpensive, rich in health properties and a good source of vitamins.[5] Therefore, horseradish is also known in Basilicata as "u tartuf’ d’i povr òmm", meaning "poor man's truffle".[6]

Rafanata is traditionally a dish linked to the Carnival festivities, prepared from the feast of Saint Anthony (January 17), until Shrove Tuesday. The traditional recipe, of which there are variations depending on the area of Basilicata, provides as basic ingredients a beaten of many eggs, seasoned with grated pecorino, fresh horseradish, potatoes and lard.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Joe Famularo, Crazy for Italian Food, Xlibris Corporation, 2013, p. 68
  2. ↑ Oretta Zanini De Vita, Encyclopedia of Pasta, University of California Press, 2009, p. 122
  3. ↑ "Jamie Oliver presents Italy in his latest book". idealista.it. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "Gazzetta Ufficiale, Supplemento ordinario alla "Gazzetta Ufficiale„ n. 67 del 21 marzo 2022 – Serie generale, su gazzettaufficiale.it. URL consultato il 27 marzo 2022".
  5. ↑ "La rafanata, la specialità del carnevale in Basilicata". AccetturaOnline.it (in Italian). 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  6. ↑ "Rafanata". CuoreBasilicata.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  7. ↑ "La Rafanata". Sapori Lucani (in Italian). 2015-03-29. Retrieved 2022-06-08.


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