Description
The Sliwka Szydlowska PGI is a dried and smoked plum obtained from Stanley, Amers, Wegierka Dabrowicka, Empress, Oneida, Jojo, Top, Valjevka, President and Damacha varieties from the Prunus domestica L. ssp domestica species.
Production Area
The production area of Sliwka Szydlowska PGI covers only the municipal area of Szydlów, in Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship.
Production Method
Only ripe and healthy fruits, free from impurities, can be used. The plums are processed in suitable rooms, with driers equipped with a special table - on which the fruits are selected - and vertical supports to bear pull-out trays in grillage and wood called laski, which have to be positioned at least 50 cm and maximum 3 m from the ground. The plums are put in trays by hand, in layers of maximum 12 cm to ensure the suitable air and smoke flow. The oven is underground and is feed with hard woods (conifer wood is forbidden), and the drying temperature is between 45°C and 90°C. Drying and smoking last generally 48 hours in total, albeit the duration can slightly change depending on the fruit size and the rooms' temperature and humidity.
Appearance and Flavour
Sliwka Szydlowska PGI has variable shape and weight depending on varieties. The peel is dark blue in colour and very corrugated, whilst the pulp is compact and elastic with a strong smoking aroma.
History
The reputation of Sliwka Szydlowska PGI is surely due to the skill and ability of the producers, who have processed plums in the Szydlów area for over 80 years, with a complete dedication that has made them the distinctive sign of the city: many traditional driers can be found in the urban landscape. The deep link with the region can be found in the Swieto Sliwki, the festival of plum that the city has organised for ten years, where, amongst the many attractions, a demonstration of the drying and smoking processes is offered the visitors.
Gastronomy
Sliwka Szydlowska PGI has to be stored in a cool and dry place, paying attention to seal carefully the packaging after opening. It can be eaten alone, as a snack or as fruit after a meal, but it is also the ingredient which characterises the taste of many recipes, from hors d'oeuvre to dessert.
Marketing
The product is sold as Sliwka Szydlowska PGI.
Distinctive Features
Sliwka Szydlowska PGI is soft and juicy thanks to the high content of water, of about 35-40%.
