Big international success for the Castagna di Montella GIP. undisputed protagonist of the landscape of the Terminio-Cervialto area in the Avellino area, where the cultivation of the chestnut native to Asia Minor, it dates back to a period between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries BC. Brought by the Lombards to Italy, in the province of Avellino this type of chestnut has found its ideal habitat thanks to the climate and the volcanic nature of the area and it was the Lombards to approve the first law for the protection of this crop, even then it was considered a precious resource, above all for the advantage that chestnut flour had of being able to keep for a long time.
This year, in fact, it will be held in Montella, on 12, 13 and 14 September the 12th edition of the European Chestnut Days promoted by Chestnut District e Chestnuts from Campania and by the European chestnut network which brings together chestnut producer organizations from 6 European countries (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Austria). In particular, organized by the Chestnut and Chestnut District of Campania, they will meet to discuss the present and future of quality chestnut production l'Interprofessional Union of Chestnut in South-West France-SNPC, National Union of Chestnut Producers, Interco Aquitaine, AREFLH, Refcast from Portugal, ithe Red Estatal del Castaño of Spain, theARGE Zukunft Edelkastanie of Austria , and for Italy also the CSDC, Study and Documentation Center on the Chestnut, Regional Center of Chestnut-growing of Piedmont.
Castagna di Montella, known since the sixth century BC. C. was imported by the Lombards
Among most important sessions of the European Chestnut Dayss, the 2022 production forecasts in Europe, with sessions dedicated to "Industry and large-scale distribution: market overview", "Resilience and sustainability in chestnut growing" and many moments dedicated to insights and visits to the territories. The focus of the Meeting will be the production of chestnuts in Europe and in the world, but also commercial data on imports and exports, market trends, consumption and harvest forecasts in the main producing countries in Europe, with an important space dedicated to research and innovations of the sector. The producers will also be protagonists, who will meet the participants during the technical visits to the chestnut groves and to the most important production realities of Montella and Campania in general. The European network today represents an important and authoritative voice of the sector in Europe and in the world and the European Chestnut Days of Eurocastanea they represent a fundamental moment of exchange between international professionals and between those (stakeholders, processors, producers, traders) who work on chestnuts in Europe. There will also be visits to local industrial realities, chestnut groves, research centres, etc. The event is included in the chestnut week, and will in fact be followed by the National Chestnut Congress scheduled at the University of Portici on 14 and 15 September.
The Protected Geographical Indication “Castagna di Montella” refers to chestnuts produced 90% from the Palummina variety and the remaining 10% from the Verdole variety. The distinctive characteristics of the "Castagna di Montella" PGI are represented by a medium or medium-small size (75-90 fruits per kg) and the rounded shape of the fruit, with a flat underside, convex base and obtuse, medium-hairy top. The seed has a white, crunchy pulp with a pleasant sweet taste. The peel (pericarp) is thin and deep brown in colour, easily detachable. The shape of the fruit justifies the etymology of the name of the Palommina variety, a shape that recalls the resemblance of a dove which in dialect translates into "palom". Thanks to the high characteristics of fragrance, flavor and shelf life - underlines a note from the Campania region - the "Castagna di Montella" PGI is used fresh (including frozen) and dry, in the shell or without. From a nutritional point of view, the "Castagna di Montella" is particularly relevant for its carbohydrate content, while its protein content is low. The chestnut tree has always been a means of economic subsistence for the Irpinia community, contributing to marking the rural tradition and social development of these areas.
With a average annual production of 7-8 thousand tons, the "Castagna di Montella" participates in about 60% of the entire chestnut harvest in the province of Avellino. About 50% of the product is exported overseas, 25% is sold on European markets and only the remaining 25% is placed on national markets.
The first Italian fruit and vegetable product to conquer the DOC, 50 percent of the production is exported
The “Castagna di Montella” was the first and only case in Italy of a fruit and vegetable product to which the DOC was recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1987 (Ministerial Decree of 5.12.87), replaced nine years later by the PGI (with the so-called simplified registration procedure, regulated by art. 17 of EEC Regulation 2081/92).
In kitchen enters perfectly in the preparation of first and second courses, excellent in soups and to garnish meats, as well as a fundamental ingredient of different types of desserts. Renowned is the recipe of “priest's chestnut”, typical of the Christmas period, made with chestnuts in their shells that are first dried over a low heat, in rooms called "gratali", then toasted and subsequently rehydrated with water or water and wine. It is particularly required by the processing industry for making marron glacés, jams, marmalades and creams.
The Chestnut Festival of Montella attracts more than every year One hundred thousand visitors crowding the stands set up for the occasion in the center of a large "Village of Taste"
