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There are 26 municipalities in the province of Turin and 10 in the province of Cuneo that are part of the “Consorzio del Peperone di Carmagnola” (“Carmagnola Pepper Consortium“). There are four traditional types of this vegetable: “quadrato” (“square”), “trottola” (“top”), “tomaticot”, and “corno di bue” (“ox horn”); a fifth type has been recently added: “quadrato allungato” (“elongated square”), a very popular variety due to its production properties and earliness.
This supplement was necessary because the market needed a smaller sized and lower-priced pepper.

The “corno di bue” (“ox horn”) variety – also called “long”- features an intense yellow or bright red skin, with a stretched conical shape (over 7.87 inches) and is also considered a “Slow Food Presidium”. The production methods have always respected the tradition, namely using only predatory insects to cope with parasites. The pepper harvest, depending on the weather, may start at the end of June and last for up to five months.

Every year, from the end of August to the beginning of September, the National Pepper Fair of Carmagnola takes place here. It’s the largest event in Italy dedicated to a single product – the National Pepper Fair of Carmagnola is, after all, a great celebration that offers 10 days of gastronomic, cultural, artistic events, as well as creative and engaging experiences for all the senses and for all ages.
This event also showcases the artistic beauties, traditions and culture of Carmagnola.

For years, the fair has been attended by a growing number of visitors: in addition to the traditional peppers exhibition and related competitions, and tasting opportunities, there’s the famous parade of “Re Povron” and “Bela Povronera”, as well as the performances of folkloristic groups from Carmagnola, music evenings and shows, as well as a commercial area reserved to the exhibitors.

For more information about the pepper of Carmagnola, please visit: http://www.provincia.torino.gov.it/agrimont/sapori/paniere/

Text source: https://www.comune.carmagnola.to.it/it-it/appuntamenti/fiera-nazionale-del-peperone-di-carmagnola-2018-62525-1-002b2a17ebe6e9e5bdcdd6be61f3a425

Photo source: http://www.camminodonbosco.it/it/pro/peperone-di-carmagnola/

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)