Description
Marrone di Castel del Rio PGI is a fruit deriving from chestnut trees belonging to the Castanea sativa Miller species, deriving from the Marrone Domestico, Marrone Nostrano and Marrone di San Michele biotypes.
Production Area
The production area of Marrone di Castel del Rio PGI is within all or parts of the territory of the municipalities of Castel del Rio, Fontanelice, Casal Fiumanese and Borgo Tassinaro, located in the Province of Bologna, in the Emilia Romagna region.
Production Method
The chestnut trees must be located at an altitude of 200-800 metres above sea level. Newly planted chestnut trees should be exclusively of the Marrone Domestico biotype. The plantations, growing methods and pruning systems must be those which are traditional of the area. During the productive stage the following is not permitted: forced growing, administration of synthetic fertilizers and the use of pesticides. The fruit are usually hand-picked from the ground when the cupules open spontaneously. The start of the harvest depends on the level of ripening, which varies due to climatic conditions, although it usually begins during the first weeks of October; the chestnuts are gathered for 3-4 weeks of the year. After harvesting, the chestnuts are sorted and graded before being carefully treated in cold and/or hot water, in accordance with traditional methods.
Appearance and Flavour
Marrone di Castel del Rio PGI is characterised by a medium-large size and a cupule that can be easily detached. It has a reddish brown colour with defined darker streaks; the flesh is sweet and crunchy and the outer surface doesn’t have any grooves.
History
Chestnut growing in the Bologna area boasts an ancient history and has always been an important business for the region. Around the middle of the XVI century, the Santerno Valley presented the Governor of Romagna with “twelve pairs of capons, a hundred libras (roughly 100lb) of Marzola cheese, a hundred apples from Rosa, known as apples of paradise, forty thrush, two hares and six baskets of chestnuts”. In fact, it is one of the most prized fruit in this area, widely cultivated in the Apennine Mountains since the year 1000, when chestnut trees bearing fruit took the place of oak woods and became a fundamental food and economic resource. Since then, production has always been carefully regulated. Marrone di Castel del Rio PGI has always represented the basic foodstuff of the inhabitants of the mountain provinces. In 1694, an edict states that “a large part of the income earned in the Castel del Rio area came from chestnuts”, thereby encouraging the plantation of new trees for every one cut down. It was only during the XVII century that the areas of chestnut groves decreased, due to the wide spread diffusion of corn and potatoes. The construction of the Strada Montanara through the valley between 1829 and 1882, as well as the advent of the railway system, encouraged a larger diffusion of chestnuts across Italy and abroad.
Gastronomy
Marrone di Castel del Rio PGI should be kept in a cool, dry place. It can be consumed either fresh or processed. Its simplicity and versatility make it the best ingredient for numerous dishes, such as pheasant, tagliolini pasta and omelettes, as well as chestnut cake and meringues. One should not forget the traditional roasted and boiled chestnuts, which are typically eaten with Muscat or raisin wine.
Marketing
The product is marketed as Marrone di Castel del Rio PGI and is sold from October 5th, either in suitable fabric bags or in packets weighing 1, 2, 5 or 10 kg.
Distinctive Features
Marrone di Castel del Rio PGI can be told apart from the common chestnut by its large size and especially by its fragrance, which is enhanced with cooking, as well as by the ease in which it can be peeled.
