Determined and strong: spelt is the Rocky Balboa of cereals!
Origin
Spelt (Triticum) or spelta is a type of wheat whose grain can be small, medium or large. Its origins are very ancient: it seems like it goes back to Neolithic, appearing for the first time in Palestine. It spread in Egypt, Syria and then in the whole Mediterranean area. History tells us that it was particularly appreciated by Romans, that used it to make puls, a mixture of water and flour, considered the ancestor of bread. Also known as “dressed wheat” for its hard shell, it was substituted by grain because less care was needed. Just in Tuscany, in the Garfagnana area, they never stopped cultivating it, making it the principal ingredient of an infinity of recipes, obtaining IGP mark. Recently, spelt went back to the top: its aversion for mineral fertilizers makes it perfect for biological cultivations, more natural and healthy.
Cook it
Spelt can be whole, semi-pearled, pearled, spelled or split. These varieties depend on the way they are produced: whole preserves the whole shell, pearled is without shell or glumella, spelled preserves only the glumella and split is whole but cut in a half. Consistencies and taste change. Spelt needs to be washed very thoroughly, and must be soaked in water from 4 to 12 hours, depending on the type. It is a very rich cereal, that can enrich many recipes, from starters to dessert. Its flour is adaptable to sweet or savory dishes, but even raw it is very good: try to imagine hot soup in the winter, with spelt, that enriches the taste of potatoes and beans, or a fresh salad in summer, with tomatoes, cheese and arugula. And have you ever tried croquettes or glazed spelt? A particular delicatessen, like spelt beer, very much appreciated in Germany!
Did you know that?
Spelt is absolutely the less caloric wheat! It is perfect for a diet, because it has no fats, but is full of proteins, fibers and other properties. Moreover, it is more digestible than the common durum wheat and it helps maintain a natural intestinal regularity. But attention, it is not gluten free! Tasty, healthy, perfect for a diet and… comfortable! Have you ever tried a pillow of spelt husk? It can be cooled in a refrigerator or warmed in a microwave, to apply it on painful areas of your body, to be more comfortable in bed while curing sleep problems, or as a pillow for breastfeeding. 100% natural solution!
