Lamb and suckling pig were the protagonists of the Christmas tables for the Sardinians. Together with artichokes, fish and prawns. For the appetizers, the preferences went to pecorino cheese.
During the holidays between 24 and 26 December, based on a survey by Coldiretti Sardinia on around 200 interviewees, the average expenditure - for a family of 4 people - was almost 40 euros per head (150 euros per family) with peaks of even 220 euros. Seats: about ten, a couple more than the Italian average.
Lamb, explains Coldiretti, «strictly Sardinian PGI and served both roasted and stewed, dominated for around 80% of consumers, followed by roast suckling pig (on 75% of tables) and artichoke ( 70%) alone or in dishes prepared with meat or other vegetables. Immediately below the podium, but further away, is fish (40%), then prawns (35%) mostly roasted or in starters and fresh pasta (30% of those interviewed) including traditional pasta from the various areas of the island, above all culurgiones, fregula and ravioli".
For the appetizers, the Sardinians mainly chose pecorino cheese and local cured meats. «But the seafood appetizers were also very successful, present in one out of four tables (with octopus the most popular). Among vegetables, fennel and carrots scored the highest, followed by radishes. Among fruit there was a wave of citrus fruits (in 70% of tables), second place for oranges."
Among other dishes and products, the consumption of polenta (particularly with mushrooms) but also of bottarga, cauliflower and exotic fruit such as pineapple is on the rise.
«The survey confirms our estimates made before Christmas and at the same time signals to us the great propensity of Sardinians to remain linked to the tradition of local dishes and products certified by a short supply chain and traceability, synonymous with quality - underlines Battista Cualbu, president of Coldiretti Sardinia - the primacy of lamb, moreover, not only confirms the importance of tradition in Christmas meals, but also the great attention of consumers in search of quality meat linked to a controlled and certified supply chain". Furthermore, according to the director of Coldiretti Sardinia Luca Saba, «it is not surprising that zero kilometer products such as our fruit and vegetables are predominant on Sardinian tables - he underlines - we also see it in our Campagna Amica markets where customers can find genuineness and a great choice of local products. Also for these holidays, consumption in our Campagna Amica channels has given added value to our companies, present in all the markets of Sardinia".
(Unioneonline/ss)