First courses.
As regards to the first courses, other than the famous maccheroni alla chitarra, worthy of mention are the scrippelle 'mbusse - thin pancakes sprinkled with sheep's cheese and cinnamon and covered with broth - and the renowned timballo. This is based on pancakes, too, which are said to have been brought to Teramo by a Breton sailor, a deserter from Napoleon's army, who settled down, happily married in the town. The Primo Maggio (May Day), is a fateful date for the women of Teramo who are busy in the long preparation of the virtu', the origins of which have been lost in time. The "virtù" is an auspicious dish which includes seven types of dry pulses (the remains of the winter supplies), seven types of fresh pulses and seven types of vegetables (fresh produce), seven qualities of meat, seven shapes of pasta, seven seasonings, and seven hours cooking time. On May Day in Teramo, apart from in the restaurants, it is possible to eat the "virtù" in the street, offered by numerous street sellers.
The number seven turns up in the traditional panarda of L'Aquila, a sumptuous banquet at which the participants are not allowed to say "no" to the seven types of dishes.