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Genova, Italy Hit with Hailstorms
Genova, Italy the capital of the Liguria region in northwest Italy has been the victim of bad weather. The result will hit both pocketbooks and taste buds.
Hailstorms in the large port city of Genova are expected to cause an increase in prices, perhaps even double, for basil grown in the region. Shortages of the fragrant plant are expected.
Large hailstones, some the size of tennis balls broke windows in greenhouses and destroyed basil plants in towns and villages around Genova. Producers in the region had over $6 million in damages - that is a lot of pesto.
The effect of the storms is expected to be short-term as the greenhouses will be repaired quickly and a new crop planted. By the end of October all will be back to normal.
Pesto has been enjoyed in Italy since Roman times. Traditional pesto is made with basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts and parmesan cheese. In the northwest corner of Italy pesto is used on pasta, in bread, as a sauce for fish and in many other wonderful dishes. There are few things better than eating a plate of pasta with pesto sauce while sitting in an outdoor café on the Ligurian coast.
The Basil grown around Genova is not used by large industrial producers but is recognized as the best in the world by many chefs. The same Basil farming practices have been used for centuries in this area of Italy. Farmers pick the Basil by hand as they are suspended over the Basil so they do not disturb either the Basil or the soil it is grown in.
Compromise will not be accepted as restaurant owners in the area around Genova, Italy say they will buy the higher quality basil regardless of the cost rather than settle for a lesser plant grown outside of the region.
If you can't make it to the Ligurian coast, Genova or the Cinque Terre, areas where fresh pesto is popular try this pesto from Amore (unfortunately not related to us). This pesto comes in a tube, so you just squeeze a little out, re-cap and refrigerate the remaining sauce. Recipes are included and best of all this pesto is made in Italy.
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About Pestos
from Genova, Italy
Posted by Jackie on August 22, 2006
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