Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini

Castelluccio plateau lies at an altitude of 1,400m above sea-level. It is 7 km long and is covered with meadows and flowers. A part of this area, consisting of Pian Grande, Pian Piccolo, and Pian Perduto, is cultivated by a few and usually old farmers specialized in the production of lentils, an ancient legume easily growing also at high altitudes which must not be chemically treated. Castelluccio lentils are small, with a color going from streaked green to light brown. They are very tender and tasty, and it is not necessary to soak them in water before cooking. They are used in many local recipes and are well appreciated because they do not lose their peel and hold up to cooking.