Plum Caleca, Caleca, Pruno Caleca
Product included in the national list of traditional agri-food products (PAT)
PAT type : Vegetable products in their natural or processed state
Technical data sheet of the traditional agri-food product (PAT)
Production area: The municipalities of Altofonte and Monreale, within the Palermo metropolitan area (identified by the Presidential Decree of the Sicily Region dated August 10, 1995). These territories historically belonged to the Norman King William II and subsequently to the Archdiocese of Monreale.
Brief product description: Small, spherical fruits with a purplish skin and a deep yellow interior. The plums are 3–3,5 cm in diameter and have a sweet flavor that intensifies as they ripen. The trees are vigorous, and their branches form clusters of plums (this behavior is referred to by the dialect adjective rapparine). This variety is decidedly juicy, and for this reason the stones tend to remain attached to the pulp. Ripening occurs between late June and early July.
Description of processing and ripening methods: Plum trees are grown using standard fruit-growing techniques. Special attention is paid, however, to the harvesting process, which requires a high level of specialization. Harvesting is done manually, trying to keep the stem intact and removing as little bloom (a white powder on the fruit's surface) as possible.
Specific materials and equipment used for preparation and conditioning: During the
traditional wicker baskets called “panari” or “panarotti” and ladders are used which are delicately placed on the sturdiest branches.
Description of processing, storage and maturing rooms: No particular and/or specific rooms required.
Evidence that the methods have been practiced consistently and according to traditional rules for a period of no less than 25 years: Lazzarino plums are cited in several historical texts, and in 1963, the “Contribution to the study of plum cultivars in the Province of Palermo” was published in the “Rivista di floricoltura italiana” (Italian Floriculture Journal), conducted by the Institute of Tree Cultivation of the University of Palermo, in which the variety in question was scientifically analyzed.
In the Monreale territory there are several specimens of more than twenty-five years old.
The variety is mentioned in the "REPERTORY OF SICILIAN AUTOCTONE CULTIVARS / ACCESSIONS OF THE MAIN FRUIT TREE SPECIES" (Annex A DA 11 of 18/01/2011)
of the Department of Agricultural and Food Resources of the Sicilian Region in the section "SUSINO (Prunus Domestica L. and similar)" as SUS 1 - SUSINO - PRUNO CALECA.
Source Pat Cards: Sicily Region
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: web
Informational contributions : Web, Sicily Region
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