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Zuppa gallurese

17/11/2023

The Zuppa Gallurese is a traditional dish from Sardinia, especially from Gallura, that reflects the culture and flavors of the region. It is a rustic dish that was once cooked on festive days. Here is how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 500 g of carasau bread
  • 1.5 l of meat broth, preferably sheep or beef
  • 400 g of sweet Sardinian pecorino cheese, better if of various maturities
  • 300 g of seasoned Sardinian pecorino cheese, to be grated
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 600 g of sheep or beef meat, suitable for broth
  • Sprigs of fresh parsley
  • Some basil leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the meat broth: in a large pot, combine the meat with plenty of water, the peeled and quartered onion, peeled garlic cloves, parsley, and basil. Bring to a boil and let simmer for about two hours, until you have a tasty broth. Salt to taste.
  2. Once the broth is ready, strain the liquid and keep the meat for another use.
  3. In a sufficiently deep oven-proof dish, start layering the carasau bread, dipping it slightly in the hot broth. Alternate layers of bread with plenty of sweet pecorino cheese sliced thinly and a dusting of grated seasoned pecorino.
  4. Continue forming the layers until all the ingredients are used, ending with cheese. Between the layers, you can also add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some ground pepper to further flavor.
  5. Pour the remaining broth over the preparation until all the layers are covered.
  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is well melted and golden on the surface.
  7. Let the Zuppa Gallurese rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend perfectly.

Interesting Facts

The Zuppa Gallurese is often mistaken for a soup in the strict sense, but in reality, it is a main dish that presents itself like a lasagna. The secret of this dish lies in the use of simple and genuine ingredients, which enhance the flavor of the meat and cheese. Over time, different variations have been developed, some of which include the addition of tomatoes or mushrooms.

Enjoy it as a main dish on cooler days, perhaps accompanied by a good Sardinian red wine.

Zuppa gallurese