Word of Mouth: Scorpacciata

scorpacciata [score-POTCH-chee-yatta]
n. eating a particular ingredient in copious amounts in peak local season.

We first heard this word from Nina Planck who says she is indebted to Brian Halweil of the Edible Communities magazine, Edible East End, for this wonderful word.

September is the time when local, seasonal eating is easiest for people in my part of the world (the northeast of the United States.) Right now is a great time to prepare a scorpacciata of heirloom tomatoes, beans, corn, zucchini and other squashes.

Don't forget in-season stone fruits, as well as raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. How about a scorpacciata pie?

(Re-edited from post originally published August 16, 2006)

Comments (7)

But what is the word for eating TOO MUCH of a particular ingredient in peak local season? I'm feeling a little over-strawberried of late. And I can't believe I'm actually saying that I've had enough of strawberries....

posted by Michelle of Montreal on 2006-08-16 09:47:55

That wonderful picture reminds me, I have been searching for these wonderful tomatoes that I eat when visiting my family in Spain. They are called "Raf" tomatoes and almost look like smaller green (with only a hint of red) heirlooms, and are usually very firm. Does anyone know where I could find them, in NYC or online? They're great as a salad with ventresca (tuna loins), olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Perhaps now that it's the season I can find them!

posted by Laura (murray hill) on 2006-08-16 10:55:32

Laura,

Since I see that you're in Murray Hill, you might want to start your search for these green tomatoes at the UN Greenmarket today. There's one particular stand that specializes in heirlooms tomatoes and they have a huge sign that shows all the different kinds they offer. Last week, I bought some green tomatoes with deep purply red centers. They have a light but beef-y taste and not much acid.

posted by Chris on 2006-08-16 11:00:42

What a beautiful word. I've been getting the best heirloom tomatoes from the farmer's market here, in Chicago, and it seems I could feast on them forever. Also, sweet sweet sweet corn, and blackberries that are engorged with sweet juice (made individual blackberry pies over the weekend, topped with homemade whipped cream and vanilla sugar - yum).

posted by Kate on 2006-08-16 11:19:40

Thanks Chris! The tomatoes you bought sound a lot like what I'm looking for. Hopefully I can get out of work early on this lovely sunny day and walk over to the market. Thanks again!

posted by Laura (murray hill) on 2006-08-16 15:18:04

A couple of other lovely food words are:
Abligurition (Excessive spending on food and drink, Barathrum (A person who eats like they were a bottomless pit), Accubation (The practice of eating or drinking while lying down). I gleaned these from the fascinating Grandiloquent Dictionary which is at http://www.islandnet.com/~egbird/dict/dict.htm
I just know there are more good food words in there, and I'll find them, just as soon as I get time ...

posted by The Old Foodie on 2006-08-16 17:01:32

I can do that with tomatoes. In fact, this weekend in Montreal I bought a basket of orange cherry tomatoes and ate them in less than 15 minutes.

posted by orchidgirl1979 on September 3rd 2008 at 11:37am
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