An unusual Le Marche delicacy – Lonza Di Fico or Salame Di Fico

I’m sure you’d agree that it’s perhaps a little odd to be eating salami for dessert, however this little Le Marche delicacy, taste sensation is a little deceiving. Yes its housed in a traditional salami sleeve, but the filling is actually  dried figs flavoured with anisette, rum, and the traditional Sapa. Il tutto viene poi macinato aggiungendo noci e mandorle.

This is a true Le Marche delicacy that takes months to age to the best taste – it is in fact prepared in October and ready to eat from March onwards the following year. Our tip is to serve it with some of the Le Marche’s delicious mature pecorino ewe’s milk cheese and a glass of dessert wine. It’s made in Ancona province but on sale throughout the region.

What’s the history behind it?

The Salame Di Fico was originally shaped like a snake and given to people after religious confirmation as it represented the ‘original sin’ from the temptation of Eve. It was eaten on the day of the confirmation or on Christmas Day so as to exercise the sin-related origin of man.

If you’re in Le Marche anytime soon be sure to keep your eye out for Salame Di Fico, it’s absolutely delicious!