Ruggero Reggiani Luciano Donati
The Pugnalone consortium
In this interview, conducted in 2012, Luciano Donati, born in 1953, speaks of his work as a farmer and the consortium he created. The Pugnalone is a consortium of farmers who cultivate their land in accordance with the rules of organic agriculture, respecting the vocation of the territory and the rhythm of the seasons. The producers of "the Pugnalone" produce pulses, cereals, oil, honey, nuts, wine, cheese, meat, salami, fruits, jams, fresh and processed vegetable.
The interview introduces also the purgatory beans of Gradoli.
The Bean is a legume intended for being cooked. It is marketed dried. It is cultivated in he municipality of Gradoli and, to a lesser extent, also in other areas of Alta Tuscia Laziale mountain region, especially in Acquapendente and Onano.
It is a local variety, sown from an ancient past. Since XVII century, it is used in Gradoli on the occasion of Ash Wednesday. In that date it is organized a "Lunch in Purgatory", in which this bean, boiled and seasoned with salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil, has been the traditional dish.
The characteristics of the product depend largely on the type of the local soil: volcanic, loose, fresh, fertile and slightly calcareous, located in a hilly (about 400 meters high) mild tempered area.
The variety is a local ecotype, which is similar to "rod" variety, with a small seed, brightly white.
The sowing is still carried out by hand as well as the collection.
Video table of contents
Interview information
Country: IT
Region: Lazio
City: Acquapendente
District: VT
Suburb: Casale San Francesco
Altitude: 420m s.l.m.
Document by: Marcello Marengo
Video by: Dario Leone
Created: 01-07-2012
