Description
The Trote del Trentino PGI indicates salmonid fish belonging to the rainbow trout species - Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walb.), reared in tanks supplied with water sources that fall within the specified production area.
Production Area
The production area of Trote del Trentino PGI is within the entire territory of the Autonomous Province of Trento, in the Trentino Alto-Adige region, and in the municipality of Bagolino in the province of Brescia, in the Lombardy region.
Production Method
All the stages involved in the rearing of Trote del Trentino PGI, including the fry, juvenile, adult life stages and slaughter operations, must take place within the production area. The tanks for rearing juvenile and adult material must be arranged in a series or sequence so as to maximize reoxygenation, as well as being constructed alternately: made entirely of concrete; in earth and concrete; a concrete embankment with an earth, fiberglass or steel bottom. The water must come from springs and/or wells and/or rivers and streams within in the production area. The feed ration must be in line with the requirements established by tradition, and the feed must be free of GMOs and certified in accordance with existing regulations. The salmon colour must be obtained mainly by using the carotenoid pigment astaxanthin and / or natural carotenoids. The trout are eviscerated, filleted and threaded according to the type of goods.
Appearance and Flavour
Trote del Trentino PGI have a greenish back and a pink stripe on both sides; white belly; dark speckles on the body and dorsal and tail fins. The flesh is white or salmon pink, firm, tender and lean, with a delicate fish flavour and a soft, fragrant fresh-water smell, completely devoid of the muddy aftertaste that is often characteristic of farmed trout.
History
There are numerous historical references documenting how the Province of Trento is traditionally devoted to the production of salmonid fish, both through fishing and tank-based farming. In 1879, the “Torbole artificial Hatchery” was built to diffuse the practice of fish farming and restock public waters with trout and brook trout fry. Aquaculture is regulated by the 1983 “Trentino fishing Map “, the first in Italy, a complex work of environmental reconnaissance, with each watercourse and lake being contextualised from a chemical-physical, biological and ichthyological viewpoint; the map was used as a point of reference for fishing maps realised by other provinces later on.
Gastronomy
Trote del Trentino PGI are sold fresh and are therefore extremely perishable. The product must be kept in the fridge and preferably eaten as soon as possible in order to appreciate its organoleptic properties, and in any case within two-three days. This type of fish is perfect for pan-frying with herbs, roasting with almond flakes, and baking in foil with cherry tomatoes and rosemary. Today it can also be enjoyed minced in the form of a burger, as a fresh pasta filling or in light ragù sauces for pasta.
Marketing
The product is marketed as Trote del Trentino PGI. It is available on the market as a fresh or packaged product. The processed product must be sold on polystyrene trays wrapped in film, polystyrene boxes wrapped in film, vacuum-packed or in a modified atmosphere. With regard to product typology, the trout are sold as a fresh product, whole, gutted, filleted or sliced. Specimens sold for consumption as a whole or gutted product have a minimum size of 200 g. When sold filleted or in slices the product has a minimum weight of 90 g.
Distinctive Features
Two of the main distinguishing characteristics of Trote del Trentino PGI is the fat content (no more than 6%) and the Condition Factor, which must respectively be within the value of 1.25 for fish up to 500 g and within 1.35 for fish over 500 g.