Origin
The Abruzzese highlands — the pastures of the Gran Sasso and the Maiella mountains. The transumanza (seasonal migration of sheep herds between the Abruzzo mountains and the Apulian Tavoliere plains) established the sheep culture that produced arrosticini as the shepherd's portable feast.
Description
Arrosticini are the definitive Abruzzese lamb skewers: cubed castrato (castrated male sheep), cut small (1.5cm cubes), threaded tightly onto narrow squared wooden skewers and cooked over a specialised long, narrow charcoal grill (the fornacella or rustella) in dozens simultaneously. The key details are all specific: castrato, not lamb — the more mature, flavoursome meat of a castrated sheep, typically 18-24 months old; the small, uniform cube size; the tight threading with fat and muscle alternating; the specific charcoal grill designed for the skewer format.
The Thread
Flavour Context
Castrato has a depth of flavour that lamb cannot match — more complex, with a mineral richness from the mature animal's diet of mountain pasture. The internal fat bastes from within as it melts. Charcoal adds a smoke note that is the third flavour alongside meat and fat. Salt is the only seasoning because nothing else is needed.