The region of Emilia-Romagna in Italy is known for its ancient varieties of apples, including Verdone, Calera or Carraia or della Carrara, Fior d’acacia, Pum salam or Mela salame, Rugginosa, Brusca or Pum brusc, Carla or Pum cherla, and Rosa or Pum rosa. These apples can be found in various towns and communes in Emilia-Romagna, such as Piacenza, Parma, and Reggio Emilia.
In Piacenza, you can find these ancient apple varieties at local stores and shops like Frutta e Verdura Piacenza and La Bottega del Gusto. In Parma, you can find them at stores like Frutta e Verdura Parma and La Bottega del Buon Gusto. In Reggio Emilia, you can find them at stores like Frutta e Verdura Reggio Emilia and La Bottega dei Sapori.
One popular recipe using these ancient apple varieties is the traditional Emilian apple cake. To make this cake, you will need 500g of ancient apple varieties (such as Verdone or Calera), 200g of flour, 150g of sugar, 100g of butter, 3 eggs, 1 lemon, and a pinch of salt. First, peel and slice the apples. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, butter, eggs, lemon zest, and salt. Pour the mixture into a cake tin and arrange the apple slices on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 40 minutes. Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar.
These ancient apple varieties from Emilia-Romagna have received the PAT (Traditional Agri-Foodstuffs) recognition, which guarantees their traditional production methods and quality. The specifications for these apples include being grown in specific areas of Emilia-Romagna, using traditional cultivation techniques, and maintaining the unique characteristics of each variety. This recognition helps preserve the cultural and gastronomic heritage of the region.
Sources:
– “Antiche varietà di mela piacentina” – Frutta e Verdura Piacenza (fruttaeverdurapiacenza.it)
– “Antiche varietà di mela piacentina” – La Bottega del Gusto (labottegadelgusto.it)
– “Antiche varietà di mela piacentina” – Frutta e Verdura Parma (fruttaeverduraparma.it)
– “Antiche varietà di mela piacentina” – La Bottega del Buon Gusto (labottegadelbuongusto.it)
– “Antiche varietà di mela piacentina” – Frutta e Verdura Reggio Emilia (fruttaeverdurareggioemilia.it)
– “Antiche varietà di mela piacentina” – La Bottega dei Sapori (labottegadeisapori.it)
– “Ricetta della torta di mele emiliana” – Giallo Zafferano (giallozafferano.it)
– “PAT – Antiche varietà di mela piacentina” – Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali (politicheagricole.it)