The green gold of Etna, grown among the lava fields
On the western slopes of Etna, around the town of Bronte, pistachio trees grow on fields of black lava, clinging to the rock where nothing else would grow. The Pistacchio Verde di Bronte DOP, of an intense emerald green and a rich, aromatic flavour, is considered one of the finest in the world and is called the "green gold" of Sicily.
The pistachio is harvested only every other year, in late summer, by hand, often by climbing over the lava rocks. In Bronte it ends up in everything: pesto, creams, arancini, cannoli, granita, ice cream, panettone. In late September and early October the Sagra del Pistacchio fills the town with stalls and tastings. Near Bronte, the Castello di Maniace, an abbey given to Admiral Nelson by the Bourbon king, became the Duchy of Bronte.
Tip: buy pistachio products directly from local producers; the pistachio harvest takes place in odd-numbered years.
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