Frogs

The culinary use of frogs became established in Italy during the Early Middle Ages, when farmers in water-rich areas were granted the right to catch them freely. They were not considered exclusively a food of the poor; in fact, Messisbugo, the famous court steward, mentions them in his treatise “Banchetti compositioni di vivande, et apparecchio generale”.

Whether stewed or fried, they were very common until a few years ago; now, however, difficulties in sourcing and preparing them (cleaning and peeling) have made them a less common dish.