Until World War II, Torricella Peligna was all settled in the hamlet Coste, the highest and oldest part of the town, the poorest and most devastated by the war, which has changed the physiognomy of the hamlet destroying the barons mansion. “Today nothing witnesses the beauty of once upon a time - Lelio Porreca states in “Passeggiata in Abruzzo” - save the landscape: a perfect circle from the majestic Maiella to the Sangro valley with Monte Pallano and down to the shores of the Adriatic sea”.

The rural fountain “Coste” survived the bad weather and the devastation of the last war, and still gushes water downhill, witnessing that Torricella is rich in spring waters. Its nineteenth-century structure and decorations prove the crafting ability of peasants. The fountain has two big basins that collect water from three spouts and convey it in the lavatories at first and then to the vegetable gardens all around, where mainly Black Celery is grown.

It still is a niche vegetable, but the Black Celery of Torricella Peligna is gaining its place on the table, with the preparation of tasty dishes of the territory, and in the restaurants. It has a stronger and bitter taste than white celery and can also be used to prepare jams and sauces like “pesto”. It also perfectly matches porchetta and is even used for beer. At the moment there are only few growers but the University of L’Aquila is carrying out research and its seed are kept in the Germplasm Bank of the National Park of Maiella in Lama dei Peligni, so the Black Celery of Torricella is about to become an excellent gourmet product of the territory.

[Credits | Text: Ottavio Di Renzo De Laurentis | Translation: Mirella Rapa | Voice and music: Studio Qreate | Photo: Laura Di Biase]