A unique delicacy: the sardinian truffle

A unique delicacy: the sardinian truffle

This tuber has been highly appreciated since ancient times. In fact, in the mid-1500s, a treatise was dedicated to it, the 'Opusculus de tuberis', which praised the opinions of naturalists and historical anecdotes. The truffle has always been a prized product of the earth, admired for its scent which, for some, was a 'fifth essence' as it caused an ecstatic effect on human beings. Even in ancient times, the most prized truffles were by far those coming from Monferrato. Nowadays, we know that the production areas have expanded throughout the peninsula, bringing to light not only the precious white truffles from Piedmont but also the black ones from Tuscany, Marche and Abruzzo. Our Sardinian truffles, typical of the Laconi, area, a village on the border of Barbagia and Mandrolisai. 

But let's start from the beginning: what are truffles and where do they come from?

As a rule, there are no truffle cultivations, or at least the very few that do exist are on an experimental basis. It is a un tuber, un an underground fungus  that grows underground under very specific conditions. The first of these is the presence of plants that are suitable to its formation: truffles are often found in the woods near specific shrubs with which they establish a symbiosis underground. Black truffles prefer tree species such as holm oak, hazelnut, hornbeam and linden; white truffles prefer clearings inhabited by oaks, poplars, hazels and willows. The environment in which the forest is located is also of great importance: the truffle, in fact, is a sort of environmental sentinel: it does not tolerate any kind of Nature pollution.

 

 

Harvesting

Since ancient times, truffles have been collected with the help of... noses. The most famous is that of the famous suckling pig which is currently legal only in France, but it is not in Italy. Nowadays man's best friend has also become the best truffle hunter. We are talking about the dog and the most commonly used breeds, such as the famous Lagotto Romagnolo, which is naturally trained from birth. The truffle is not a perennial tuber, i.e. it cannot be found all year round. There are different varieties that grow in different periods: the white truffle , which grows from September to January, the prized black truffle , which is collected from November to mid-March, and the summer truffle, also known as the scorzone truffle, which is collected from May to December.
 

Storage and cooking

In order to preserve its aroma, truffles should be eaten as soon as they are picked. We recommend a few tips on how to store them at their best:

  • First of all, it is good to clean it of any earth residue with a brush or a small brush and wrap it in a cotton cloth or kitchen paper.
  • The cloth or paper should be changed every day so to avoid any humidity.
  • The truffle should be stored in the fridge or in a cool place that allows it to 'breathe'.
  • When it is ready to be used, it can be washed with cold water, brushed and dried. It is grated fresh, just before being served. It goes well with fresh pasta, eggs, cheese and mushrooms.

La selezione di Janas Food

 

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