From seed to table, a complete immersion in the world of the Sicilian branded carrots

The Carota Novella di Ispica PGI was the focus of an event organized by DOS Sicilia (the Association of Consortiums for the Promotion and Exploitation of Typical Sicilian Agricultural and Food Products with PDO, PGI and QS marks). The event was part of a more inclusive educational tour.

A moment of the tour. (Click here to access the photo gallery of the event)

The aim of the event was to present the characteristics of a reference product which is both traditional and modern thanks to its innovative production processes, with the intention of bringing the PGI product closer to consumers and operators in the supply chain, this time with a particular focus on the Ho.Re.Ca. sector. Of course, the specific features of the PGI carrot, from field to fork, were also in the spotlight. Indeed, participants were able to see all the steps involved in the product, from seed to table.

A visit to the warehouse for the processing of the Carota Novella di Ispica PGI

After the inauguration and the conference presentation, the event continued with a visit to the field to see the product being harvested. This was followed by a visit to the processing plant, where visitors were able to see all the stages involved in packaging and preparing the Carota Novella di Ispica PGI for shipping. A short documentary film, produced in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Agriculture (Masaf), was shown. At the end of the tour, the Hospitality Institute Curcio presented a cooking show on the use of the Carota Novella di Ispica PGI in the kitchen.

Processing of the product

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Massimo Pavan, president of the consortium, said: 'We are in the middle of the harvest, which started early this year, although our consortium members could only start marketing the branded product as of 2 February to comply with the regulations. The production trend remains balanced, although we have had to carry out relief irrigation due to the prolonged drought since last summer. Sales are holding up thanks to the appreciation of large retailers and consumers. Prices are more or less stable at the moment, with quotations at last year's levels."

Above: a menu based entirely on the Carota Novella di Ispica PGI, from starter to dessert, prepared by the culinary students of the Istituto Alberghiero di Ispica. (Click here to access the photo gallery of the event )

The Carota Novella di Ispica PGI is cylindrical/conical in shape, with a diameter of between 15 and 40 mm, with no secondary roots, no root at the tip and no cracks in the stem. The flesh is tender and crunchy, while the inner part is fibrous. The taste is typical of carrots and the aroma is intense, with herbaceous notes.

Group photo

The production area of Carota Novella di Ispica PGI covers several municipalities in the provinces of Ragusa, Siracusa, Catania and Caltanissetta in the region of Sicily. It differs from other carrots in that it is a typical early spring product, hence the name 'novella', and has specific chemical and organoleptic characteristics.