One of Trapani’s most important and historic products, melons are sown in May and harvested from June onwards. Their most distinctive feature is their durability, and they are still excellent even after Christmas. Traditionally, after the harvest, they would be laid out on the terraces of the houses or hung from the balconies. One of the local varieties is the Alcamo Purceddu, called “maialino” (suckling pig) in dialect because its shape is reminiscent of the little animal. It has a green, wrinkled skin and an oval shape. Purceddu melons are excellent eaten on their own or made into ice cream or traditional Sicilian granita.
Season
Harvested from August to September
Back to the archive > The melons grown in the countryside around Alcamo and the neighboring municipalities have long been bought by the big Campanian wholesalers who resell them at the markets in Naples. The return for the Sicilian growers is minimal, and the crop is becoming increasingly unprofitable. To combat this, a small group of farmers has joined together in a Presidium and has successfully switched to managing their own sales.
Production area
Alcamo, Castelammare del Golfo and Calatafimi Municipalities, Trapani Province; Camporeale, Roccamena and San Giuseppe Jato Municipalities, Palermo Province
Presidium supported by
Sicilian Region
Production area
Alcamo, Castelammare del Golfo and Calatafimi Municipalities, Trapani Province; Camporeale, Roccamena and San Giuseppe Jato Municipalities, Palermo Province
Presidium supported by
Sicilian Region
Giuseppe Pirrone
Alcamo (Tp)
via Guerrazzi, 13
tel. +39 339 4109978
Giuseppe Pirrone
Alcamo (Tp)
via Tenente Caravaglios, 67
tel. +39 338 2238878
Alcamo (Tp)
via Guerrazzi, 13
tel. +39 339 4109978
Giuseppe Pirrone
Alcamo (Tp)
via Tenente Caravaglios, 67
tel. +39 338 2238878
