Insalata di farro is Lucca’s most prominent summer dish. In a lunch box on the beach, as an aperitif accompanier – it has endless variations and combinations.

We add to our traditional cereal -the spelt grows on the nearby Garfagnana mountains -fresh veggies, sausages, dices of mozzarella … Whatever we found in the kitchen and fits our summer eating mood: a fresh and light local salad that makes a great Primo or side dish.

Ingredients (serve 4)

• 500gr. dry spelt

  2 carrots, cut julienne

  2 stalks of celery, sliced

  1 medium fennel, finely sliced

  2 tomatoes or 300 gr. Cherry tomatoes, sliced

  California nuts

  Extra virgin olive oil

  Fresh lemon juice

  Salt

  pepper