Faino di Licata tomato called "buttiglieddu"
Product included in the national list of traditional agri-food products (PAT)
Typology PAT : Vegetable products in their natural state or processed
Technical data sheet of the traditional agri-food product (PAT)
The cultivation of the tomato (buttiglieddu) in the Licata area has always been of considerable importance. In the past, the cultivation was practiced in open fields and in dry conditions; the cultivation used dry farming techniques in order to make the most of the few winter rains; moreover, in order to allow for an advance of the harvest, in some particularly suitable areas, protective preparations were used, consisting of arelle of marsh reeds and fans of stubble. This crop, which represented the flagship of agriculture in the area, with the advent of the tunnels has undergone a radical transformation, passing from dry to irrigation and from open field to protected environment.
This transformation has led to a significant change both in the cultivation technique and in the varieties, today in fact, the local ecotype has been genetically improved and replaced with an FI hybrid (Faino della SG) which is more productive and more suitable for the protected environment. . As far as the cultivation technique is concerned, direct sowing has now completely disappeared, replaced by transplanting; the crop is grown on the ground under tunnels with an investment of 5-6 thousand plants / ha.
The small fruit, 10-20 gr., Has a bright red color and remarkable consistency, especially if obtained in areas where there are waters with a high content of salts. As far as the harvesting period is concerned, there has now been a real seasonal adjustment, practically having the presence of the fruit almost all year round, with a greater concentration of production in the period from January to June.
In the past, the destination of the product was oriented towards obtaining tomato sauce or concentrate (strattu), while today the most recurrent use is that of appetizers or salads. The markets where the product finds more outlets are those of central-northern Italy and it is highly appreciated especially if it is of good quality. About 500 hectares are involved in the crop, with an average production obtainable of 300 quintals, distributed throughout the territory of the Piana. The small size of the farm and the family management of the same, is well suited to this type of crop, given that among the production costs, the greatest incidence is represented by the manpower required to harvest the product.
Source Pat Cards: Sicily Region
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: web
Information contributions: Web, Region of Sicily
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