Description
The Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria PGI refers to the fresh or dry onion bulb belonging to the Allium cepa L. species, limited to the Tondo Piatta (early ripening), Mezza Campana (mid-season) and Allungata (late ripening) native ecotypes. It is divided into three typologies: Cipollotto (Spring Onion), Cipolla da Consumo Fresco (Fresh Onion) and Cipolla da serbo (Onion for Preserving).
Production Area
The production area of Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria PGI lies along the Tyrrhenian coast of northern Calabria and is within numerous municipalities in the provinces of Cosenza, Catanzaro and Vibo Valentia, in the Calabria region.
Production Method
Sowing begins in August and can be carried out directly in the fields, in nurseries or in modules, and when the plants reach the right size they can be transplanted. The harvesting period varies depending on the variety: for the Tonda Piatta or early ripening onion, it takes place between mid-April and the end of May; between mid-May and mid-June for the Mezza Campana or mid-season onion; for the Allungata or late ripening onion it is carried out between mid-June and the end of July. After harvesting, the external tunic of the Spring Onion bulbs must be removed and the ends must be trimmed by 30-60 cm; the onions are then tied in bundles and placed in crates. The bulbs of the Fresh Onion, without the external tunic, are trimmed at the ends (35 to 60 cm if they are long) and placed in boxes or crates. The bulbs of the Onion for Preserving are left to dry in the ground for at least seven days, after which they are conserved in cool, dry places.
Appearance and Flavour
Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria PGI is round and egg-shaped with a red skin, and is made up of fleshy concentric tunics that are white in colour with a red external layer. It has a particularly sweet flavour.
History
Historical and literary sources attribute the introduction of the onion into the Mediterranean basin, and in particular Calabria, to the Phoenicians and Greeks. Highly prized during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it was an essential food product and important for the local economy, as it was sold and exported by sea to Tunisia, Algeria and Greece. Several texts written by travellers returning from Calabria between the XVIII and the XIX centuries, describe the marvels of the common red onion from Tropea, highlighting its sweet flavour and softness. Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria PGI only started to become more widespread during the period of the Bourbons.
Gastronomy
Fresh Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria PGI lasts for a few days, while if it is plaited it can be conserved for up to a month. Thanks to its sweetness, it is particularly indicated as an ingredient in salads, combined with vegetables and cheese. The leaves from the spring onion are also used to make omelettes. The dried onion is mostly used to make sauces and the small-sized bulbs are excellent for pickling. Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria PGI is used to make marmalades and mustards, perfect for pairing with cheeses and meat, but also starters like Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria PGI “alla tropeana”, where the onion is fried in a pan with hot chili peppers and then served on toasted bread.
Distinctive Features
The pleasantness of Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria PGI on the palate is given to genetic, climatic and pedologic factors; it is the interaction between the three that determines the excellent organoleptic characteristics. If these three factors did not coexist, or if the onion was cultivated elsewhere, the product would not be nearly so appetising.
