Hazelnuts Pears Peaches Berries onda gentile trilobata”, this is how the local hazelnut on’t let the peasant know how good cheese is with uneo peaches are synonymous with high quality, and ust think of the magic of berries on consumers’ tables: blueber- Cuneo “Tvariety is described in Italian (round, gentle, trilobate): “Dpears”. This old Italian saying befits the setting of Cthe pride of a long-standing tradition: a healthy, sugary Jries, raspberries, currants, alpine strawberries, blackberries and round for its shape and gentle for the fine taste that pleases the Cuneo province given the countless varieties of pears fruit epitomising naturalness and freshness – to be found in gooseberries are all small fruits but taste great and also adapt to Fruit the palate. In actual fact, gentile is a technical term, mean- and the wide choice of locally produced dairy products. Pear practical wrappings in small shops and supermarkets alike a wide variety of cooking uses. Berry crops tell a lot about the ter- The of Fruit Growing ing “cultivated”, “not wild”. The most valuable cultivar of its growing today is mainly driven by the domestic demand and making its grand debut in the consumer world, as is ritory with open valleys rich in water, a healthy climate, a stable Heart kind, otherwise known as the Piedmont Hazelnut, was award- for consumer-preferred varieties; these include Conference, normally the case for the most valuable products. and well-preserved ecosystem, fairly acid and fertile terrains… in the Cuneo Province ed a protected geographical indication status back in 1993 Abate Fétel, Kaiser, Williams and Decana del Comizio. Marketing is backed by a big promotional push from the these propitious conditions are all enhanced by eco-friendly ag- and now has its own ‘Protection Consortium’ prescribing its Harvest is in September and October, but ripening takes Cuneo Chamber of Commerce partnering with Producers’ ricultural practices and protection interventions inspired by the qualitative parameters and growing areas. There is no doubt place in the following months and ultimately heightens the and Traders’ Associations with the ultimate purpose of re- principles of integrated pest management. A proactive entrepre- Cuneo - AGAMI Edizioni about its place of origin, i.e. the lower and upper Langa (hilly fruit fragrance and full development of its undisputed or- vamping an old tradition. The early peach crops in the Cu- neurial spirit characterises many small holdings in the Bisalta area) of Piedmont stretching from the Roero district through ganoleptic properties. Consumers’ penchant for quality is neo province were grown in the municipalities of the Roero valleys and the Saluzzo, Mondovì and Ceva districts. the Mondovì district to the hill slopes of Carrù and Ceva. Ha- matched by the typical taste and special use of each culti- district in 1885, a period of viticulture crisis following the zelnut crops and the local landscape and people are in a sym- var: whether sugary, mouth-melting and savoury, i.e. ideal devastations caused by the downy-mildew and vine-louse biotic relationship: neat geometries of hazelnut trees alternat- for fresh consumption, or thick-pulped and pleasantly aro- epidemics. ing with vines and a good cuisine always open to new ideas. matic, i.e. qualities which make it a perfect candidate for This initiative was full of vision and would soon gain ground Plums The decisively superior quality of this variety is paramount: baking. The Cuneo cuisine uses pears for dessert. Classi- with steady success for a few decades. Next, the expansion “energy pearls” in folk medicine with such exclusive proper- cal autumn pears – as the only indigenous variety – are towards plains prevailed, with new cultivars and a strong ties as high rancidity resistance, easy peelability, a low break- particularly suited for this special use. Among the most re- entrepreneurial spirit. The Saluzzo district unique sweetness and aroma, ing rate during roasting, a sweet taste and an intense aroma. nowned is the Martin sec, a small and tasty flask-shaped, took over the tradition and almost totally Aa rich and soft flesh and an in- Other strengths include a subtle and full shell, a uniform size rust-hued, yellow pear that tastes excellently when accounts for the local peach production tense scent are among the qualities and a high yield. Its fast growing production is closely related cooked in full-bodied red wine seasoned with cin- today, which consists of three main va- of plums grown in the Mondovi and to the development of the confectionery industry. The hazel- namon and cloves. Likewise, the Madernassa is rieties: yellow-fleshed peaches, white- Saluzzo district, the Monviso valleys nut history is deep rooted in the Piedmontese stubbornness. a perfect match to timbales, with its larger size, fleshed peaches and smooth-skinned and the Langa and Roero hills, which For an unabridged version As Napoleon Bonaparte, through his Continental Blockade, its green-yellowish skin hued in red in sun-ex- nectarines. offer suitable conditions for their growth. Traditionally, they and further detailed prevented the importation of products from the British colo- posed parts, and its aromatic and acidulous Cutting-edge crops combine tech- originate from Damascus. That is why they are locally called nies – first and foremost cocoa – the only resource-sparing pulp that lends itself to mouth-watering fill- nological innovation and profes- Dalmassin or Darmassin, or Ramassin in the Saluzzo district. information, solution was mixing cocoa with roasted hazelnuts. This al- ings when mixed with macaroons, sugar and sionalism without overlooking They are small, elongate, occasionally round-shaped, with a check the website ternative set an example and culminated in the creation of egg yolks and sprinkled with rich Barolo or the demand for food and environ- purple colour and bluish hues. Their thin, waxy or opaque FONDO EUROPEO DI gianduiotti in 1865, the early foil-wrapped chocolate creams. Barbaresco wine for a unique scent. mental safety from consumers. skin preserves them for a long period. www.cn.camcom.gov.it/prodottitipici SVILUPPO REGIONALE Mela Rossa Cuneo Red Delicious the red apple par excellence, intense and bright in colour, a sweet and mouth-melting pulp. Gala ripens in summer, smaller than the Red Delicious, Apricots Chestnuts Cherries Strawberries Kiwifruits Apples sweet and crispy, very juicy. Fuji a red over-colour ona more light thangreen 50% to yellow of the skin,skin surface, appreciated for its sweetness. pricots’ appearance on the fruit stand herald the start of ach valley has its chestnut variety with a highly qualitative hether you like it sweet or sour, the two locally produced ed, fleshy and scented are three attributes describing his is the ‘latest born’ in all senses, i.e. the latest product he elixir of life, this is how Braeburn the summer season. And they never go unnoticed with cherry species fit the purpose; in botany they are known to be harvested in the fruit season and the latest product this fruit may be termed an elongate shape, a smooth, A Efarming system involving around 110 mountain and valley- W this fruit, a seduction symbol found in several myths T T red-orange nuanced, green skin, R a sour and distinctively aromatic flavour. their sunny and charming look and their bright, red-hued line municipalities with tens of local cultivars. This excellence as Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus respectively. and legends. to be introduced into the province. Indeed, kiwifruit has many with its detoxifying properties orange colour. Harvested at the height of their ripeness, with has earned the Cuneo Chestnut the PGI status, a token of qual- The first group comprises the tenerina cherry – soft, juicy and It is available in many cultivars varying by shape and colour homelands. Naturally grown in the central provinces of China, and high vitamin content. No their soft and juicy flesh, apricots enliven the table through ity for fresh and processed products alike. A list of properties dark-fleshed – as well as the harder duracina cherry – heart- – conical or elongate, round, bright coloured from orange-red its importance in the international market only grew with its doubt, it is one of the most their taste and scent and, what is more, they are totally will suffice to attract consumers: a good fruit set, a kernel with shaped and bright red or even yellow in colour; the second to intense red, with a pale to rosy flesh – and is an optimum arrival in its spiritual home, New Zealand. As far back as in 1940 promising fruits in the Cuneo province with tens of indig- healthy as they are rich in vitamins, minerals and other nu- a crispy texture, a sweet, delicate taste, and a light-brown skin group comprises such acidulous fruits as morello and marasca choice for its taste and healthiness. Plants may either blos- the “Chinese gooseberry” became the kiwifruit to pay tribute enous cultivars, although current production concentrates trients, chiefly potassium, sugars and carotenoids. Indeed, with darker stripes. cherries, or such bitter fruits as the amarelle cherries. “Cherries som once or many times throughout the year (i.e. remont- to a local bird whose aspect and shape resembled this furry, on a few varieties consistently compliant to organoleptic they are an invaluable source of energy for adolescents, fa- Known as “the poor’s bread” in popular culture and a staple are very more-ish” – never was the phrase more appropriate ant varieties) ensuring an extremely long season. brown and roundish fruit, with a very delicious pulp and a high requirements, whose ideal habitat – which contributes to tigued people and sportspeople alike. commodity in peasants’ diet for generations, chestnuts are for this mood-lifting, inviting and, more importantly, nourishing Two top-quality traditional agri-food products are marketed: nutritional value.