Luganega

Luganega

Alternative names	Luganiga, luganica, lucanica
Place of origin	Italy
Region or state	Northern Italy
Main ingredients	Pork
Variations	With cheese, sweet wine, broth

Luganega (also called luganiga, luganica or lucanica) is an Italian fresh sausage made with pork. It is a traditional food from Lombardy, Veneto and northern Italy and is usually rolled up to appear like a snail.. However, the sausage is originally from Southern Italy, deriving from the Italic tribe called the Lucanians, which lived in Basilicata and Calabria in pre-Roman Italy. Lucanian soldiers spread the sausage called Lucanica to Rome and from there to other parts of the Latin-speaking empire, where it survives in many languages in similar form, for example, the Portuguese Linguica.

Luganega is part of the risotto alla monzese (Monza-style risotto), a variant of risotto alla milanese, can be used in barbecues or in rich stews together with mushrooms or potatoes. As with many Italian sausages, the main difference between luganega and an American style sausage is often that Italian style luganega have a deeper flavor through its rich fennel seasoning.

It has a few variations: in the richest one pork is united with Grana Padano, Marsala wine and broth.

See also

• Lucanica