Festa dei frutti dimenticati: Discover the forgotten fruits in Casola Valsenio

- Category: Eat
Photo of sorbe
If you usually read this blog you already know that I love markets. We spent a day at Bologna's Mercato della Terra and today we went to a real traditional celebration that takes place in Casola Valsenio (RA), about 70km from Bologna, since 1990.

Casola Valsenio is a small town on the street to Florence, between the beautiful hills of Appenino Emiliano Romagnolo, and is always a great experience to take a tour there in this period of the year with autumn colours all around you.
Photo of porcini mushrooms
Dried porcini mushrooms
Azzeruole, jujube, sorb apples, pears volpine, medlar, carnelian, quinces are just a few of those autumnal fruits of the past disappeared from our tables and our memory.

In a time not far those fruits, minor but valuable, were collected from the wild woods and trees that grew close to home and often piled up in the attics of the peasants as a reserve for the harsh winter months.
Since 1980, Casola Valsenio rediscovers forgotten fruits and give them a celebration that over time has become increasingly important and appreciated for the care and originality.

The farms expose, in scenic stalls, autumn fruits collected from old surviving plants or new plants placed after the resumption of interest in these natural products. You will also have the chance to eat traditional culinary pearls like fried apples, sandwiches with wild sausage, roasted chestnut, nettle piadina, etc.
Photo of nespole
A medlars basket
Casola Valsenio gave an example of what can be done by local communities for the protection of biodiversity and officially became the land of forgotten fruits and herbs.
If you decide to visit that small but wonderful don't miss a visit to the Herb Garden 'A. Rinaldi Ceroni 'which, on the occasion of the festival and on other days, also offers visitors the cultural knowledge and material of about 400 medicinal plants.

Read more on Casola Valsenio website www.comune.casolavalsenio.ra.it
Photo of pears
Lost pears saved by the hands of a peasant
photo of different types of pears
Different types of pears
Photo of giuggiole
Giuggiole, and old and traditional italian fruit
photo of quinces
Quinces, great fruit for marmelade

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Comments

  • Paul Edwards

    Congratulations on an impressive site.. Your great photographs bring your site to life but of course the star is your selection of wonderful recipes. I find your site is very easy to navigate and your placement of photographs entices the visitor to visit your recipes. I live in Australia and through your site it reinforces my belief that we are all a part of the same global family. Thanks!

    I am trying to collect photos of traditional markets, street food and festive events. May I have permission to use some of your wonderful photos to use it on my site? I would acknowledge that it is your recipe and provide a link.

    I have your site listed on the following page http://www.allaboutcuisines.co... and my photos are at http://www.allaboutcuisines.co...

    The goal of my site is to encourage people to try new cuisines so that they can get a better understanding of the world’s diverse cultures as well as helping people prepare and taste new food. My site does not sell or generate income.

    Best Regards

    Paul Edwards

    All About Cuisines

    “Connecting Cultures through Food”

  • Taste Bologna

    Hi Paul,

    that's fine, i'm glad you appreciate my website. You can use all the photo you need, just give credit to the author (you can see if i'm not the author, i always write credits). Thanks again!

    Best,

    Andrea