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Quarantino Corn
History
The first evidences of the cultivation of corn in the areas belonging today to the National Park territory date back to the first decades of the 18th century. The cultivation of this species, coming from South America, spread and became rooted after the serious famine of 1764. The scientific name of corn, Zea mays L., derives from the Greek words "Zao" (living) and "Mayze" (bread): a possible translation may be "bread of life", confirming the important role it played in the past.
Current Production Area in the Park: The variety has been found in the Municipalities of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Capitignano, Cagnano Amiterno, Barete (Province of L'Aquila).
Description
Annual herbaceous plant of the Graminaceae family. It provides grains on a spike - although it is commonly called cob - characterized by a variety of colors, according to the cultivated variety. This ancient variety adapts very well to drought. The name derives from the fact that the spike forms after about 40 (quaranta, in Italian) days from sowing and has a ripening cycle of about 4 months.
Product Availability: Sowing takes place from May, with harvesting in September. It is for sale as polenta, although in limited quantities.
(photo by PN Gran Sasso)
(photo by PN Gran Sasso)
(photo by PN Gran Sasso)
