Bastarduna or Scuzzulati? Always of innia figs we speak
Prickly pears, known by their scientific name Opuntia Ficus Indica They are the fruit of a plant belonging to the Cactaceae The stem is formed by cladodes, commonly called blades, covered with white spines.
The flowers are yellow-orange in colour while the fruit ranges in colour from white to yellow and from red to magenta, depending on the variety.
It is cultivated throughout the Mediterranean basin, especially in Calabria, Apulia, Sardinia and Sicily.
Crops of this genus are also found in the temperate zones of Central America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
It is born and grows in the warm months in places where no other plant would be able to do so.
This type of vegetation prefers dry, arid soils and is often found among lava rocks.
In fact, it requires no special care and attention, they only fear low temperatures.
However, it is necessary to take a step back, because the discovery of this fruit is due to Hernando Cortes Mexico and from there expansion to the rest of the world.
Legend has it that the ancient Aztecs called this fruit Nopalli and was emblematic of their civilisation.
Wandering in the arid lands of Mexico, they set out to build their capital there, only when they saw an eagle perched on a cactus.
This event took place on a deserted islet, here they founded the capital Tenochtitla, whose name meant 'the land where the fruit of the cactus that stands on stone abounds', today the prickly pear appears in the coat of arms of the Mexican Republic.
It is likely that it was the Saracens who introduced this type of cultivation in Sicily, around the year 827, or later the Arabs.
In any case, today it is the emblematic and stereotypical plant of Sicily, capable of enhancing the most inhospitable corners of our gardens.
It is among the most resistant species to the long, hot southern summers, and in addition to its summer fruit production.
If 'forced', this plant also produces them in autumn!
In May, the blades of the fig trees are filled with small flowering fruits; this is obviously the first flowering that will give the ripe fruits between July and August.
By ancient tradition, in the winter months, particularly from October to December, the so-called scozzolatura.
We have a video testimonial from Nonno Vincenzo right here,on YouTube!
With this technique, the small fruits that have just sprouted are dropped in order to stimulate the plant for the second flowering. This is how prickly pears are obtained, which in the jargon are called bastarduna o scuzzulati.
Thanks to the variety of colours, we recognise different variants:
- the Sulfarin yellow flesh;
- the Muscaredda white flesh;
- the Sanguine red flesh.
They are called Burduni the not-quite-ripe prickly pears, whose name derives from the Latin 'burdo or burdos', i.e. mule, hence the assonance with the aforementioned mongrels.
Other legends have arisen about the prickly pear that touch us more closely.
The writer, scholar and ethnologist,Giuseppe Pitrè tells us that in ancient times the prickly pear was considered poisonous.
It was thought to have been brought to Sicily by the Turks to exterminate the Sicilians, but with the intervention of Divine Providence, this fruit became sweet and beneficial, which is why it was later called the fruit of health.
Another legend wants to justify the phenomenon of scozzolatura; in fact, the mongrel was born after a quarrel between two peasants with neighbouring lands.
One of the two, in order to spite the other, cut the flowers of the prickly pear plant that crossed the border, thinking he would damage it, but he did not.
The fruits, called bastarduna"in honour" of those responsible for this story, began to grow bigger and juicier even though it was out of season.
Creating great astonishment and greater envy in the mischievous peasant!
The prickly pear is a hallmark of the wild vegetation in Sicily, both for its beauty and its prized flavour, so much so that in 2013 it obtained D.O.P. recognition, like that of the city of San Cono, the first prickly pear producer in Europe! The prickly pear is also the basis of many products that we make with love. If you want to know more,read on!
