Located south of Lecce 22 km from Otranto, Zollino, a treasure trove of history and culture, is a healthy example of a Salento community.
The municipality is located in the heart of Salento Greece, a geographical area composed of a few municipalities, in which the language is still preserved Grika and Neo-Hellenic culture. Careful research and preservation of traditions, carried out by local associations and strongly supported by the administration, is attempting to pass on the culture of the ancient language to new generations. GriKa, spoken less and less, with the preservation of ancient popular songs and lullabies.
The Passion of Christ
In particular, in the period of EasterThroughout the village, the Griko chant "I Passiona tu Cristu'" resounds, with local singers accompanied by the accordion. Not only is it a song celebrating the Passion of Christ, but above all, a symbol of belonging to Zollino. An ancient ritual that brings an intense and engaging chant into the homes of the people of Zollino, with which the singers, custodians of the tradition, manage to move and be moved themselves.
The Zollino campaign
Culture and traditions complement a land rich in history, best explored slowly and with a traveler's spirit.
The ancient streets with churches and palaces to visit in the historic center then open onto a countryside to be discovered with a slow spirit.
Menhir And dolmen should be discovered in the countryside together with the "pozzelle", ancient cisterns for collecting rainwater. A tour of the countryside cannot fail to include a visit to the vegetable gardens, where ancient ecotypes of legumes, local specialities.
Zollino legumes
Among all the legumes, the most famous and important for the local economy, included in the ministerial list of agricultural products traditional from Puglia, I am the dwarf pea of Zollino and the Kuccia fava beanThese products are the basis of local cuisine and traditional dishes.
Zollino dwarf pea
The Zollino dwarf pea is grown in this small town in the Grecìa Salentina region. This legume is yellow-brown with green hues and is best eaten dry. It is sown before December and harvested in June. The Zollino dwarf pea plant is not very tall. During the renowned San Giovanni Fair, held on June 24th, the dwarf pea can be purchased along with other legumes from the Salento area.
Kuccia bean
The “Fava di Zollino” is also called in the small Salento town Sit (from the Greek Kuamos), is a De.Co. product. It has a larger shape than the beans Commercially, flattened. It is sown in November, like other legumes, and harvested in late April or early May.
Zollino Sceblasts
Equally good are the excellent products from oven. Along with the classics pucce, definitely worth eating on site is the “sceblasti” of Zollino, a characteristic bread seasoned with tomato, zuchinis, onion and capers. In honor of the Sceblasti, a festival of the same name has been held in Zollino since 1996 at the beginning of August.
