Parliamo di tartufi? O meglio, li coltiviamo?

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