Paglina Onion of Castrofilippo

Slow Food Presidium

Italy

Sicily

Vegetables and vegetable preserves

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The water-rich soil around Castrofilippo, in the province of Agrigento, is particularly suited to the cultivation of onions. According to official documents from the agricultural reform launched by Ferdinando III of Bourbon, thanks to the ever-present water from the Bigini River, all of the land downstream between one mill and the next was good for "chiantari cipuddra e agliu," planting onions and garlic. The inhabitants of Castrofilippo have long been known as “cipuddara" in the nearby villages, where still today, as in the past, the growers go to sell their onions during the summer.
The name of this ecotype comes from its pale yellow outer layer, the color of straw (paglia), which distinguishes Castrofilippo Paglina onions from other types. Its other important characteristics are the large size of the bulbs, their pleasant aroma and their sweet flavor. The lack of piquancy makes them ideal for eating raw, but the local cuisine also uses them in various traditional preparations: cipuddata, ‘mpanata di cipudda and cipuddetti frittata.
Generally, the onions are planted out as seedlings (cipuddine), grown in seedbeds in areas near the sea, where the milder climate helps the seedlings grow early in the season. When they reach a height of 10 to 15 centimeters, they are pulled up from the seedbed, collected in bunches and planted out by hand.
Harvest starts in June, when the onion’s leaves are still green, and continues until the end of August, the month when the traditional festival dedicated to the onion is held.

Season

The Castrofilippo Paglina onion is available from June to September, while the spring onions (cipuddretti) are generally found in March. Processed products are available year round.

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A strict production protocol guarantees the sustainability of the Presidium onions, till at great risk of extinction due to pressure from more productive and standardized varieties. No chemical treatments or weedkillers can be used, only those allowed by organic agriculture can be applied if necessary. The cultivation is done manually, with full respect for the soil and its fertility. The seeds are selected and reproduced by the Presidium itself.

Production area
Castrofilippo municipality, Agrigento province


Presidium supported by
Municipality of Castrofilippo
Producers

Chedduci
di Gerlando Sanfilippo
Contrada Collegio Gesuitico
Castrofillippo (Ag)
Tel. +39 328 6485190
chedduci@gmail.com

Golden Grapes
di Dario Brucculeri
Contrada Pernice
Castrofillippo (Ag)
Tel. +39 348 2268105
info@goldengrapes.it
www.goldengrapes.it


Salvatore Lo Brutto
Contrada Margiovitale
Castrofilippo (Ag)
Tel. +39 347 6583217
salvatorelobrutto2@libero.it
Presidium Producer Coordinator
Sabrina Sanfilippo
Tel. +39 392 2137730
chedduci@gmail.com

A strict production protocol guarantees the sustainability of the Presidium onions, till at great risk of extinction due to pressure from more productive and standardized varieties. No chemical treatments or weedkillers can be used, only those allowed by organic agriculture can be applied if necessary. The cultivation is done manually, with full respect for the soil and its fertility. The seeds are selected and reproduced by the Presidium itself.

Production area
Castrofilippo municipality, Agrigento province


Presidium supported by
Municipality of Castrofilippo
Producers

Chedduci
di Gerlando Sanfilippo
Contrada Collegio Gesuitico
Castrofillippo (Ag)
Tel. +39 328 6485190
chedduci@gmail.com

Golden Grapes
di Dario Brucculeri
Contrada Pernice
Castrofillippo (Ag)
Tel. +39 348 2268105
info@goldengrapes.it
www.goldengrapes.it


Salvatore Lo Brutto
Contrada Margiovitale
Castrofilippo (Ag)
Tel. +39 347 6583217
salvatorelobrutto2@libero.it
Presidium Producer Coordinator
Sabrina Sanfilippo
Tel. +39 392 2137730
chedduci@gmail.com

Territory

StateItaly
RegionSicily