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The Fiaschetto tomato (a Slow Food Presidium) is a typical product from the area of Torre Guaceto. Until the 1960s, it used to be widely enjoyed, but at the end of the XX century, it risked losing the most unfair struggle against the new genetically-selected varieties and other hybrid species easier and cheaper to cultivate.
Only thanks to a brave recovery action, started in 2008, it was possible to save this typical Apulian product.

Fischetto tomato variety is cultivated within Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve (managed by the WWF), in the Municipality of Carovigno and in that of Brindisi – the abovementioned recovery project is currently managed by the Reserve technicians and farmers.

Fiaschetto tomato has a round oval shape, with a red colour, thin skin and an average weight of 0.52-0,70 oz. The plant has a short bearing and small clusters.
The flavour of this variety is very sweet with an acidic aftertaste due to its irrigation made with brackish waters coming from the wells near the sea.

Currently, the farmers of Torre Guaceto organic food community, work in a sustainable development laboratory and have chosen the use of organic cultivation techniques involving sensible irrigation and no synthetic boosters; working in a protected area like this nature reserve has therefore proved the best solution for respecting the environment and protecting their own well-being.

The very production process is particularly interesting from an anthropological point of view: by observing the phases of cultivation, one can discover the strong bond between these very tomatoes and the local peasant civilization.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)