Pick your own apples in Val Taleggio
Pick your own fruit farms are practically non-existent in Italy as the concept hasn't caught on like it has in the states and elsewhere in Europe. PYO? The mention of it prompted a why from the MotH, because why would anyone go through the trouble when weekly local markets offer the best of what's in season and all in one convenient location?
The only explanation I could think of was that well, collecting your own fruit is great fun, and perhaps for this reason is why an italian apple grower in Vedeseta hatched the idea to give visitors the unique opportunity to connect with nature while picking the fruits of his labor. With the goal of implementing organic farming methods in order to offer a small variety of wholesome foods that are good for your health, Virginio Rota (that's him on the right), along with 3 associates, founded Manterga agricultural cooperative. Wholewheat pasta made from organic flour, cookies and jams without the addition of preservatives - these are a few items that were on display in their village shop headquarters. Peak apple season is still a few weeks away but the Galaxy apples were ready the Sunday we dropped in. I had read that weekends are when people usually stop by, and you can also buy fruit that has already been gathered.
Shop location: Via Centro 3, Vedeseta
Apple farm: at Località San Michèi, about 550 meters from the village center, on the way up to Reggetto (that wooden sign above will be on the right and a roughly-hewn stone building to the left). Other seasonal produce also on offer. We paid only 1€/kilo for the apples!
Local cheeses: S. Antonio cooperative makes taleggio and strachitunt, but they also carry other cheese products from the valley. A little over a kilometer past the apple farm.
scribbled from the chestnut forest by Rowena... at 10:02 AM
12 Comments:
ooh apples and cheese, I think we have some PYO places here for different things (sweet potatoes, strawberries & shiitake)
Kat - I wish we had more of these places, but the tradition of shopping at the open-air markets is just too strong. How cool for pyo sweet potato farms!
Gorgeous! There's supposed to be a bunch of pick-your-own farms nearby the city, but I've yet to venture to one. On the to-do list before winter comes around! ^_^
I wish we had more open-air markets. Oh and for those sweet potatoes, you gotta dig and get dirty :)
Rowena, you have captured perfectly the atmosphere in these photos! I love the men in the apple tree! The last time I went fruit picking was about 15 years ago. My sister, her kids, my kids and I went strawberry picking. I won't be repeating that any time soon. hee hee! :)
This evokes all sorts of melancholy type feelings for me, going to an orchard with my family and siblings on a brisk October picking Apples (then later up to my ears in APPLE everything, thanks to mum)
= )
Kathy - I'll be looking out for your pyo adventure! It's always fun seeing where people go to get all crazy with the produce.
Kat - Mr B says he's got my back if we ever find a place where you gotta dig out potatoes (or anything else for that matter). I still remember the time he dug 3 holes to get at the boiled anchovy "fertilizer" that I had buried in the ground. He ate them all!
Bella - if only we had U-pick strawberry fields here! I'd be stuffing my face left and right.
Elle - there's already apple festivals going on but pumpkin, mushrooms and chestnuts aren't far behind. Fall produce up the ying yang!
Aww I love apples and cheese! Interesting pics!
Here in the Okanagan Valley there is an abundance of Apple, Cherry orchards and vineyards. makes for some delicious cheese plates!
The Wanderfull Traveler
Uh, I wish I could pick my own cheese :)
Yes, strange "pick your own" hasn't caught on. Anyway, all here looks lovely.
Laura - well did you have some REAL cheddar when you went to the UK?
Murissa - mention fruit and cheese and it already sounds like a paradise.
Jonzie - well if only you were closer to Bra....we'll pick some for you.
Welshcakes - of all the fruits to be had in Sicily, the day I see U-pick fichi d'india is a day for major celebration (and visits to the emergency room).
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