Lampredotto al Lampredottaio Fiorentino
Tuscany — Firenze, Mercato di San Lorenzo
Florence's street food that is not for the faint-hearted — the fourth stomach of the cow (abomasum) simmered for hours in a parsley-tomato-onion-celery broth until completely tender, then sliced and served on a semelle (crusty roll) with salsa verde and/or picante (hot sauce). The lampredottaio (the vendor) dips the top half of the roll briefly into the hot broth — this single gesture (the bagnata) defines the quality of the sandwich and separates authentic Florentine preparation from imitation.