The truffle, un fungo ipogeo che evoca profumi e sapori, for those who appreciates, evoking plants and forests, for nature lovers, that evokes a relationship of trust and respect with man's best friend… e della donna: the truffle dog.

During my days in Savigno, the following Remo Guidotti, tartufaio per eccellenza e Presidente dell’Associazione Tartufai Savigno-Valsamoggia, I met directly "on the field" the difficulties and the needs arising from its collection. Protecting the environment, as always, It is a determining factor.

But how does it form a truffle?

The truffle is an underground fungus which is formed in land fresh and moist to about 15-20 cm. of profondità. It has a fruiting body whose dimensions vary depending on the species, climatic conditions, and terrain. Forming underground, It does not acquire the organic substances through photosynthesis, but the roots of plants with which order established a symbiotic relationship and from which absorbs vital substances.

The Truffle Plants They are mostly the Roverella, Poplar, white willow, linden, the hornbeam and hazel. Said experts, the latter is formed by a very special white truffle. A Savigno, in collaboration with the’University of Bologna, using the piante micorizzate, cioè con radici in cui sono presenti le spore da cui hanno origine i tartufi, si sta creando un bosco per la loro coltivazione. Sperimentazione molto interessante.

Esistono differenti tipologie. Secondo il nostro ordinamento, ad uso alimentare, se ne possono raccogliere e commercializzare otto varietà. In the hills around Bologna, in addition to the white truffle which mature in autumn to early winter, from January to April you can find black truffles and white out, also called Marzuolo. Da Giugno a Novembre, you can find the summer truffle, also called Scorzone.

Search mode and collection.

The activities tartufaio, oltre a richiedere un corso e il rilascio di un patentino, It is regulated by certain rules. For example: Research and the collection is prohibited during the nighttime. Also, in the zones established in the park or nature reserve, è regolamentata da normativa specifica locale per garantire il rispetto del territorio.

The truffle dog.

In the past, the search for truffles were employed pigs, or better yet sows, that, Thanks to their fine sense of smell, particularly facilitated research. Today this task is carried out by truffle dog, le cui doti olfattive vengono migliorate con un addestramento che inizia sin dalla nascita.

With small adjustments based on experience, It completes his preparation year of age. For example, while nursing puppies, viene utilizzato dell’olio al tartufo spalmato sui capezzoli della mamma. It then moves on to the biscuits flavored, and so on. At the end of training, the dog will be so greedy as to require careful monitoring during search, so that the same does not devour the precious loot.

E 'can make any dog, the Lagotto romagnolo however, dog of medium size water retriever, It is the official breed for truffle hunting. It is distinguished by the knack, for loyalty, and the sweet and affectionate. La sua tutela e valorizzazione è garantita dal Club Italiano Lagotto di Bagnara di Romagna, in the province of Ravenna.
A curiosity. The municipality of Savigno, in the old town, ha dedicato al rapporto speciale che si instaura tra cane e tartufaio una scultura tematica del maestro maceratese Francesco Roviello.

Dalla raccolta alla tavola. Ecco una preparazione che ho avuto il piacere di assaggiare nella “Vecchia osteria” di Ponzano a Castello di Serravalle, in the province of Bologna. Delicious potato dumplings to the white truffle of Savigno, prepared by Mrs. Luisa, cook and owner.

Legge del tartufo: 10 grams for a first plate – 5 grams for a starter or to a contour.

Vecchia Osteria di Ponzano – Via Valle del Samoggia Ponzano Castello di Serravalle (BO) Such. 051 6703009

Sources: "Knowing the truffles" Gilberto Govi, Alessandra and Marco Zambonelli Morara. – Association Tartufai Savigno Valsamoggia – U.M.I Centro di Micologia dell’Università degli Studi di Bologna

32'International Festival of the white truffle of Savigno, Valsamoggia (BO)

We have just concluded the second weekend of the 32 'International Festival of the white truffle of Savigno. Who has not had the opportunity to participate, It may do so during the final round to be held 14 and the 15 November 2015. Savéggn, Savigno Bolognese dialect, a small town that from 1 'January 2014 It became part of the City of Valsamoggia, in the province of Bologna. I spent my last weekend here, surrounded by beautiful autumn colors of the hills around Bologna, and intoxicated by the scents of truffle.

The desire to make people makes the difference in the promotion of the territories.

A manifestation of longstanding, due to the desire to make its citizens, allowed the offer of numerous cultural and gastronomic. With the support of Valsamoggia, molti volontari insieme alla ProLoco e alle Associazioni locali, I cite in particular the Association of Tartufai Valsamoggia and Ascom, They have made possible the success of a trade that saw the main truffle and its territory.

The protagonist: truffles.

The nose evokes aromas and flavors ... for those who love them. Evokes nature, plants and forests. Evokes people, that with man's best friend, and I add women, establish a relationship of trust and respect. The truffle, an underground fungus (that lives underground), sought and loved by many. During my days in Savigno, the following Stefano Barbieri, environmental guide, and Remo Guidotti, tartufaio per eccellenza e Presidente dell’Associazione Tartufai Savigno-Valsamoggia, I met directly "on the field" the difficulties and the needs arising from its collection. Protecting the environment, as always, It is a determining factor. But I'll get to this later.

Aid Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation FFC.

Combine business with pleasure. Doing good by promoting the territory without forgetting those living difficulties that only research can help. For this reason the proceeds from the dinner of truffle 7 November by chef Igles Corelli, attended humorists ZAP&IDA with their funny cartoons and puns (puns illustrated), It will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation FFC. www.fibrosicisticaricerca.it

Old shops of Savigno.

Loving history and the village shops, that often define the proloco almost permanent representative of typical land, I could not but appreciate the classic signs of shops in downtown Savigno. More beautiful than the. Entering the "butcher's shop", typical local time dating 1898, I met so Guido Mongiorgi. From 1969 by continuity to the butcher shop started by the grandparents with the help of his wife. A gentle Sicilian lady who made a few tweaks to the Bolognese cuisine family, giving greater weight thanks to the use of good extra virgin olive oil.

Durante la visita, besides appreciating the quality of raw materials and the presence of many local specialties, I visited a small museum. Indeed Guido turned the basement into a cozy tasting room in stone with numerous objects and household utensils for a time, raccolti e ben conservati negli anni. Un luogo ideale per fare balotta, snack between Bologna friends whose name originates from the noise of chestnuts on the fire. That is how, in front of a platter of salami and a glass of wine, with a few friends, He told me about Annual maialata. Quiet, nothing spicy, only the appointment of January during which the pork is processed with respect farmer once. By the way ... the women are not allowed, so goes the story.

Local companies that reinvest in the area.

Apennines Food, a famous company of local products based on mushrooms and truffles, principale sponsor dell’evento. The support of Luigi and Angelo Dattilo, holders, He has contributed to the success of the event. I got to meet and chat with Louis over coffee.

Thanks to his passion for truffles developed with a female Pointer Bracco, in 1994 a 26 age, He has decided to turn a pleasure into a commercial reality. Leaving the policeman's uniform, Angelo, Brother surveyor, He has started a transformation of truffles. A company of the territory that promotes the area.

 Potrete vivere tutto questo il prossimo week-end. Savigno vi aspetta!

Tartufo Savigno www.tartufosavigno.com Hashtag della manifestazione: #LiveSavignoTruffle

Press Office: Laura Rangoni – E mail laura.rangoni@gmail.com