Valnerina, the green heart of Umbria, is world-famous for its unique gastronomic tradition, where cheeses and pork butchery represent the excellence of the area.
Walking through the villages of Norcia, Cascia and the small villages of the valley means immersing yourself in a universe of scents, flavours and knowledge passed down for generations.
In this article, we discover the protagonists of Northern Italian cuisine, including pecorino cheese, salted ricotta, and fine cured meats.

Pecorino di Norcia: The Territory's Iconic Cheese

Pecorino di Norcia is a hard cheese made exclusively from local sheep's milk. Its maturation varies from 3 to 12 months, giving the cheese complex aromas and a strong, slightly spicy taste with hints of mountain grass.

History and Tradition

The processing of pecorino dates back centuries, when pastoral families in Valnerina transformed milk into cheese to preserve it during the winter months. Even today, many local companies respect artisanal methods that guarantee quality and authenticity.

How to Enjoy It

Pecorino di Norcia is suitable for many uses:

Flaked on homemade pasta or rustic soups
Paired with honey, jams or berry marmalades
To be tasted with a glass of Sagrantino di Montefalco or Rosso di Torgiano
Pecorino della Valnerina: The Hidden Treasure of the Umbrian Valleys

Less well-known but equally valuable, Pecorino della Valnerina comes from small mountain farms that promote the milk of free-range sheep.

Features

Hard or semi-hard pasta
Herbaceous and slightly spicy aromas
Seasoning from 2 to 10 months
Tasting Ideas

Perfect for enriching:

Local cheese boards
Gourmet salads with walnuts and apples
Typical Umbrian legume and cereal soups

Ricotta Salata: Simplicity Becoming Excellence

Salted ricotta is another symbol of Valnerina. Unlike fresh ricotta, it is pressed, salted and cured, taking on a compact texture and an intense, savoury taste.

Tradition

Produced with the residual whey from pecorino cheese processing, salted ricotta represents the art of enhancing every ingredient without waste, according to ancient peasant tradition.

How to Use It

Grated on pasta, gnocchi or lasagna
Flaked in seasonal salads
Paired with a drizzle of Umbrian extra virgin olive oil

Norcia Ham PGI: The King of Cured Meats

Prosciutto di Norcia PGI is one of the most famous products of Italian norcineria. Characterized by a minimum maturation of 12 months, the ham is soft, with a balanced flavor and a delicate aroma.

How It Is Born

Made with selected meats from pigs raised in Umbria, it is processed according to ancient local recipes, with sea salt and, in some cases, a light natural smoke.

Tasting Tips

Pure, accompanied by homemade bread
On mixed cutting boards with local cheeses and honey
As an ingredient in typical dishes, such as pasta alla norcina
Capocollo, Corallina, and Dry Sausages: The Wealth of Norcineria

Norcia's Norse tradition offers a wide variety of artisanal cured meats:

Capocollo: lean, soft meat, cured with natural flavors
Corallina: spicy and tasty, ideal for rustic appetizers
Dried sausages: cured sausages, perfect for enjoying in slices
Each product tells the story of the mountain and the pigs raised using traditional methods, with natural feeding and slow curing.

Liverworts and Ciauscolo: The Most Intensely Local Flavors

For lovers of bold tastes, the liverworts and the ciauscolo are a must:

Liverworts: sausages made from pork and liver, often enriched with local spices and aromas
Ciauscolo: soft, spreadable cured meat with an aromatic, slightly smoky flavor
Ideal for enjoying on homemade bread, as an appetizer or ingredient in traditional Umbrian dishes.

Gastronomic Tours and Tastings: Experiences Not to Miss

Visiting Norcia means discovering the authenticity of the territory through flavors. Many local companies organize:

Guided cheese and cured meat tastings
Craft production workshops
Food and wine itineraries through villages and agritourism
These experiences allow you to understand the processing of the products, meet the norcini and take home certified local excellences such as Prosciutto di Norcia PGI and Pecorino della Valnerina.

Among centuries-old olive trees to enjoy excellent oil and good food
Experience the olive trees of Umbria
Discover the authentic flavors of the area among excellent extra virgin olive oil, tradition and local cuisine immersed in nature.

Book the gastronomic experience


Truffle hunting and country breakfast
Experience the thrill of truffle hunting in the Umbrian countryside
Accompanied by expert quarrymen and trained dogs, you'll discover the secrets of truffles amidst woods and pristine nature, with a delicious country breakfast at the end.

Discover the truffle experience