Overview
What's matter is that it is female.
We're talking about turkey (or rather, "tacchinella") Canzanese style, which will make your stay in Canzano, in the province of Teramo, where the ancient dish originates.
The manicaretto, protected and valorised by a consortium formed by several municipalities in the Teramo area (Castellalto, Cellino Attanasio, Cermignano, as well as Canzano), was born from a chance discovery in the mid-19th century. In fact, it turned out that turkey broth, prepared in the morning, became jelly after a few hours, making the meat more flavourful and tastier.
Taste it in one of the village's eateries, which smiles down on you from its 400-plus metre altitude, pointing to pleasant hillside views, scented with the Adriatic. From this place, the coast is just one step away, and at the same time, as in a mirage, the crown of mountains is outlined around you.
In the liquid landscape of Canzano, the meat, which seems to melt in your mouth carrying with it the aroma of garlic, bay leaves and pepper, is so light, you can eat as much as you like, and when you get up from the table you feel like feathers, immediately ready for a nice tour of the village.
Going from the profane to the sacred is a snap. Awaiting you is the parish church, built and dedicated in 1592 to Our Lady of the Alno, who, according to tradition, appeared several times to a farmer, inviting him to build the religious monument you can admire today, although there is only the stone portal left from that period.
Inside a 17th century stoup and an 18th century wooden bust are preserved. Particular value has the altarpiece of the Madonna of the Rosary behind the altar, probably to be attributed to the school of Francesco Solimena (known as Abbot Ciccio), among the artists who expressed late Baroque art at its best in Italy.
Set in the built-up area, catch sight of the Torrione and the medieval walls, with stone ashlars, built in the 14th century at the behest of the Acquaviva family, lords of the territory.
Don't miss a visit to the Neviera, the only cave that can be visited. It is a dug into the clay soil, which you can enter from the cellar of one of the historic buildings in the centre.
You find yourself in a real refrigerator from the past, which, thanks to the constant, cool temperature obtained from the snow crammed into it, was used for maturing meat.
A fantastic gimmick, contrived by the Saracens, who may have founded Canzano, as told by the municipal banner, with the crowned head of a Moor.
An eye also on local handicrafts, which continue to work "of lace," thanks to the passion and renewed memory among women, even younger ones, who do not forget the fine art, for centuries at the centre of village culture and economy.
What else to see:
- The Annunziata Chapel
- The Church of San Biagio
- The Church of the Congrega del Santissimo Sacramento
- The Church of the Pardon
- The Church of San Pasquale in Valle Canzano