The tourism authorities of Lecce have informed us of the following food festivals in the most southern province of Puglia for July.

Sagra te lu ranu del grano - Merine, during first 10 days

Sagre della sceblasti (a type of Greek foccacia with tomatoes) Anguria (watermelon) - Zollino, during first 10 days

Potato festival - Parabita, 2nd Sunday

Sagra della anguria - Collemeto, 2nd Sunday

Fish Festival - Porto Cesareo, 14-16th July

Sagra della puccia - Ugento, 22nd July

Sagra dei Sapori Antichi- Giuliano, 22nd July

Sagra del tarallo - Castiglione, 3rd Saturday

Sagra dell'uva 'cardinal' - Guagnano, final week

Glossary:

The city of Lecce produces some distinctive and appetizing typical food and dishes.

First up are the 'taralli aromatizzati' a type of hard savory biscuit containing herbs and spices.

Then there are the 'puccie' which are small bread shapes filled with olives and grapes. Look out for the dedicated festival above.

Pig's blood features in the preparation of two black pudding type salami, one savory and the other, believe it or not, sweet.

The first is a mix of pig's blood, salt, pepper, pig's brain and fat or 'lardo'. It should be boiled in water or grilled.

The classic sweet version is normally served up during Carnevale often with a blood substitute. Not surprising.