The province of Reggio Emilia boasts a long tradition linked to the cultivation of melons, which are historically produced in the cleared ex-valleys between Novellara and Guastalla and in Santa Vittoria. This crop represented a supplement to the income of farm labourers and their families and for a period of time they could be found for sale at local markets.
The Lentigione banana melon is one of the traditional Reggio Emilia ecotypes and it is very particular: in fact, it does not resemble any other type of melon.
The plant is rustic and vigorous, it tends to creep and has a branched stem. It has been noted that it prefers not only medium-textured soils, but also heavy clay ones, thus making it well suited to the lowlands of Reggio Emilia.
Although it has the name banana, it does not have the elongated shape of a "banana" but rather a round, smooth fruit and no ribs, moreover, it has a thin, green skin with dark, irregular streaks. When fully ripe, the colour may turn yellow while maintaining dark green streaks on the surface. The weight varies between one and one and a half kilograms. When the melon is ready, the stem tends to detach from the fruit, consequently the melon can crack where the stem is. The white pulp is extremely tender, juicy, and very sweet; it is also very soft and can be cut vertically, thus dividing into two pieces. On the other hand, if it is harvested late, it tends to be too soft and has an unpleasant taste. The shelf life of the Lentigione banana melon is rather poor, in fact after it is harvested it must be consumed within a few days.
It has been replaced by other types of melons that are more suitable for commercial and intensive agriculture. The Lentigione banana melon of is known in a small area of Reggio Emilia, close to the border of the Parma area and is suitable to be grown in small family gardens.
According to some traditional stories, it was once widespread exclusively between Brescello (Lentigione in particular, hence the name) and Meletole, and according to one story, it was also in Sorbolo (Pr).
The research activities necessary for the reporting of this product in the Ark of Taste online catalogue were financed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, the General Directorate of the Tertiary Sector and Corporate Social Responsibility – notice n° 1/2018 “Slow Food in action: communities protagonists of change”, pursuant to Article 72 of the Tertiary Sector Code, referred to in Legislative Decree No. 117/2017.
Back to the archive >
