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

13/10/2013 - Category: Eat

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.

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.

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