Springtime in Rome means two things – beautiful weather and Abbacchio alla Romana.
This quintessential Italian dish is otherwise known as Roman Roast Lamb. It combines young lamb, salty anchovies, rosemary, sour vinegar, and dry wine. The dish creates flavors that blossom, much like the season itself. It has been served in Rome for centuries and is a popular dish in Italian homes at Easter.
Quick and easy Abbacchio alla Romana recipe
Serves 6–8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour+
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of olive oil
A knob of butter
2.5 kg of lamb (a leg of lamb is best)
¼ cup of rosemary (finely chopped)
4 anchovies
¼ cup of vinegar (red wine vinegar is best)
8 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
Salt and pepper
1 cup of dry white wine
Directions
Preheat your oven to 220 degrees.
To prepare the lamb, heat a skillet with olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add the lamb and brown it on all sides until sealed. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
Mix chopped garlic, rosemary, anchovies, red wine vinegar, and salt in a separate bowl. You can use a pestle and mortar to achieve a fine mix. Transfer the lamb to a preheated deep-roasting dish after browning it on both sides.
Pour or scatter the mixed ingredients over the lamb. Place the roasting dish in the oven and cook until the meat is tender. This should take around 45 minutes to 1 hour. Halfway through cooking, remove the roasting dish from the oven and pour a cup of dry white wine over the lamb to keep it moistened. Put the dish back into the oven to continue cooking. When the lamb is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Abbacchio alla Romana pairs well with
This deliciously salty lamb dish pairs well with polenta, fava beans, or Cacio e Pepe. Cacio e Pepe is a classic pasta dish from Rome made with pasta, black pepper, and grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
Alternatively, keep it simple and serve Abbacchio alla Romana with potato wedges and cooked mixed vegetables.
If you would like to learn more Italian recipes, check out these posts –
Italian Prune Plums with Ricotta and Honey
