An exciting gastronomic adventure to live in the province of Parma, in the lands of the Black Truffle of Fragno. This is the elected zone of the black “diamond” from gourmet critics, recognized as a PAT (Traditional Agricultural Product). We are in the high valley of Baganza, in the namesake hamlet of the town of Calestano: the starting point of a truffle path, to which a national fair is held in October, nature trails, tastings and recipes to taste at the local restaurants.
Imagine moving slowly and silently into the woods accompanied by your four-legged friend. Autumn colors and scents fill their hearts and eyes. The dog with its exceptional snout gathers the “treasure” and starts digging. This is the image that accompanies those looking for the Black Truffle of Fragno, tuber picked from the end of September and all winter. Fragno is a hamlet of the municipality of Calestano in the province of Parma. The truffle marries local dishes such as tortelli, tagliatelle, risotto, meats, eggs and polenta but not only. The tuber is happily accompanied to the excellence of the Food Valley such as Parmigiano Reggiano and, recently discovered, to the Malvasia dei Colli di Parma.
The events relied to the Black Truffle of Fragno
Following his inebriating aroma – its characteristic, along with the strong and intense taste – we come to the Black Truffle National Fair in Fragno, from October 15 to November 12, for five Sundays. The medieval village of Calestano hosts the market of truffles, conferences, typical gastronomic products, handicraft stands, music and street artists. Not to be missed: opening tastes (October 15, 2017), Truffle Bike (October 29, 2017), national truffle race (November 5, 2017) and black truffle of Fragno auction (November 12, 2017). Each week, the “Truffle Stock Market” will set the minimum and maximum selling prices: the opportunity to take home a precious “booty”.
Every Sunday of the fair you can participate in thematic tours, following the truffles seekers in their regular searching areas, sharing secrets, techniques and emotion of the harvest. The environmental guides also accompany visitors to the most special places in the area, such as the Devil’s Jump, the small caves of Iano, Mount Scaletta and Mount Bosso.
Where to eat and sleep during the fair: some suggestions.
Restaurants, trattorias and farmhouses in the Calestano and in the hamlets, part of the product club Parma the heart of taste, will offer tempting menus to delight all palates. For example, Osteria Cà d’Angel, in Ravarano, a few kilometers from Calestano, deserves a stop. For the occasion the menu is black: the truffle appears associated with almost all recipes, from appetizers (polenta, egg croutons, celery salad with parmesan cheese) to the first (ravioli and tagliolini) and the second, roast with porcini and rolls.
