FROG CUISINE - COMMON FOOD IN ITALY

Frogs are a common food in the northern part of Italy, especially throughout Piemonte and Lombardy and within these two regions especially in the Vercelli area in Piemonte and in the Pavia and Lomellina area in Lombardy. In these places frogs are part of the ancient culinary tradition and a typical staple food. Consumption of frogs is mainly relatable to the availability of the animals due to the rural activities and typical agriculture in these places. It is unclear whether the tradition to consume frogs had been originated during French domain so imported by the French or if it was prior to that and just due to the fact of the large presence of frogs in these areas.

The large presence of frogs is mainly due to the agriculture typical of these areas which is always been known for their famous rice, in fact being rice so largely cultivated it's right because of the rice fields and the large presence of artificial water channels systems used to flood rice fields during growth that makes for frogs a perfect habitat. During the growth period when fields stays flooded and even more during the draining of the fields farmers and people generally are used to gather and go frog hunting armed with a net, some towns even organize collective hunting sessions and games.

Frogs gained much culinary relevance in these areas, many rural towns host food festivals called sagre centered on frogs and where frogs are prepared in various ways, they typically happen during rice fields emptying period. Being frogs consumption strictly related to famous rice production and being these the native lands of the Italian dish named risotto, one of the most common dishes is indeed risotto with frogs, risotto alle rane, other ways frogs are typically served are dipped in egg batter, breadcrumb and then fried or in soups and stews.