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 Ramparino melon belongs to the group of netted melons, and until the early 1970s it was widespread in the province of Reggio Emilia. The plant of this melon creeps, it is rustic and vigorous, its stem tends to climb (hence the name "ramparino", in the local dialect mlòun ramparèin), which is why trellises and various supports are essential during growth.
This melon is medium in size, spherical in shape, and slightly flattened at the ends. The netted surface has slight depressions that trace the slices while the colour of the netting is light green and turns yellow when fully ripened.
The Ramparino is small and weighs on average 500 grams; if the plant is trimmed it can produce heavier fruits, around 1.5 kilograms. The peel can be both green and beige. The pulp of the ramparino is light green with an orange tint towards the centre of the fruit. It has a very fragrant pulp with an intense, sharp taste, which is almost spicy.
It has a medium shelf life, in fact, it is recommended that it is collected ripe and kept it in the fridge for a few days. The Ramparino goes well with savoury dishes.
This variety has been replaced over time by other types of melons which are more suitable for commercial and intensive agriculture. Despite its lack of cultivation, many elderly people have good memories of it, and it is known in a small area of the province of Reggio Emilia, where it is grown in small family gardens.
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.
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