Plum Caleca, Caleca, Pruno Caleca
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)
Area of production: Municipal Territories of Altofonte and Monreale enclosed in the metropolitan area of Palermo (identified with the Presidential Decree of the Sicily Region 10/8/1995). These territories historically belonged to the Norman king William II and subsequently to the archdiocese of Monreale.
Brief description of the product: Small spheroidal fruits with a purplish skin and an intense yellow interior. The plums have a diameter of 3 - 3,5 cm and have a sugary flavor which becomes more intense with maturation. The trees are vigorous and in their branches various "clusters" of plums are formed (this behavior is indicated with the dialect adjective rapparine). This variety is very juicy and for this reason the stones tend to stick to the pulp. Ripening takes place between the end of June and the beginning of July.
Description of the processing and maturing methods: The cultivation of plum trees takes place with the normal agricultural techniques used in fruit growing. However, particular attention is paid to the harvesting phases, which require a high level of specialization. Harvesting is done manually, trying to keep the petiole intact and to remove as little bloom (white powder on the surface of the fruit) 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 the processing, storage and maturing rooms: No particular and / or specific local requirements are required.
Elements proving that the methodologies have been practiced in a homogeneous way and according to traditional rules for a period of not less than 25 years: Lazzarino plums are mentioned in various historical texts and in 1963 the "Contribution to the study of plum cultivars of the Province of Palermo" was published in the "Italian Floriculture Magazine" carried out by the Institute of Arboreal Cultivation of the University of Palermo in which the variety in question is analyzed with a scientific method.
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
Information contributions: Web, Region of Sicily
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