Fragole di Marsala Strawberries
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Marsala strawberries vary in size, shape, and flavor, depending on the specific variety. In general, the fruits range in size from 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter and have a plump cordate shape with broad, curved shoulders tapering to a blunt or pointed, narrow tip. Each fruit is also capped with a tuft of small lanceolate green leaves growing in a circular formation. One of the distinct characteristics of Marsala strawberries is their pigmented coloring. Their red hues extend up to the top of the fruit, and this is an important selling point in markets. Marsala strawberries appear in shades of crimson to dark red, and the surface is smooth, taut, thin, and glossy. The skin is covered in tiny yellow-brown to red seeds, and the surface is typically delicate, easily damaged, and soft. Underneath the surface, the pale red flesh is aqueous, firm but tender, and sometimes crisp with a succulent nature. The seeds on the outside also provide a subtle crunch. Marsala strawberries release a fragrant, fruity, sugary, candy-like aroma and must be picked when mature, as they will not ripen after being harvested. The fruits are edible raw and have a sweet-tart, jammy, and fruity taste.
Seasons/Availability
Marsala strawberries are available in the late fall through early summer, with different varieties appearing at varying times throughout this seasonal window. In most fresh markets, Marsala strawberries have a peak season in the winter through early spring.
Current Facts
Marsala strawberries, botanically classified as Fragaria ananassa, are a category of several strawberry varieties grown in the Italian commune of Marsala on the island of Sicily, belonging to the Rosaceae family. The aggregate fruits are one of the most famous crops of Marsala and are seasonally sold throughout Italy and Europe as a delicacy. There are many varieties of strawberries grown in Marsala, generally labeled under the Marsala strawberry name. Popular varieties include Tudla, Camarosa, Naiad, Ventana, Candonga, Beauty, Melissa, Savana, and Fortuna. Marsala strawberries are also known as Fragole di Marsala, and the fruits are notably the first varieties to appear in the season. For several months, Marsala strawberries are one of the only strawberries found in markets throughout Italy, and vendors heavily promote the fruits for fresh consumption. Some vendors in Palermo even sell the strawberries on street corners to drivers stopped at traffic lights. Marsala strawberries are left on the plants to ripen, and the fruit’s red coloring up to the base of the stem cap is a mark of pride and quality, conveying to consumers that the fruits developed their full flavor before being harvested. When in season, Marsala strawberries are utilized in a wide array of fresh and cooked culinary preparations.
Nutritional Value
Marsala strawberries have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Like other strawberry varieties, the fruits are a source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, and vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning. Strawberries also provide vitamin E to reduce inflammation, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, copper to develop connective tissues, and other nutrients, including manganese, iron, and iodine. The pigmented skin and flesh contain anthocyanins, natural compounds that give the fruit its coloring and have antioxidant-like properties to protect the cells against the damage caused by free radicals.
Applications
Marsala strawberries have a sweet-tart flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The fruits are popularly washed and sprinkled in lemon juice or dipped in sugar to enhance the overall eating experience. Marsala strawberries can also be used in any preparation, calling for common strawberries. The fruits can be sliced and mixed into fruit medleys, tossed into salads, or used as an edible dessert decoration. Marsala strawberries are also incorporated into ice cream and are popularly sold through local vendors throughout Sicily. In addition to ice cream, Marsala strawberries are added to tarts, baked into cakes, blended into mousses and puddings, or layered into parfaits. They are also simmered into jams, jellies, or cooked into candies. In Sicily, strawberries are seasonally used in risotto to celebrate strawberry season. They are also dropped into Marsala wine as an edible garnish or pressed into juice for mixing into cocktails and sparkling beverages. Rosolio is a favorite beverage made from strawberries, sugar, and water and is an alternative to limoncello. Marsala strawberries pair well with herbs such as mint, basil, lavender, and rosemary, fruits including citrus, nectarines, peaches, and raspberries, vanilla, and balsamic vinegar. Whole, unwashed Marsala strawberries should be immediately consumed for the best quality and flavor. They can also be stored for a few days when kept in the refrigerator with ample air circulation.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Strawberries are a favored fruit given as gifts on Saint Valentine’s Day in Italy. The annual celebration is held on February 14th, and during this season, Marsala strawberries are one of the only strawberries found in markets. The saturated red fruits are said to resemble hearts and are given to family and friends as a symbol of love. Strawberries are also a part of the well-known legend of Adonis and Venus in Roman mythology, which is also told during Saint Valentine’s Day. It is said that Venus was in love with Adonis since his birth and devoted much of her time to taking care of the mortal male. One day, Adonis was hunting in the woods when a wild boar attacked him. The wild boar was rumored to have been the god Ares, who was jealous of Venus’s love for Adonis. The boar fatally wounded Adonis, and as Venus rushed to his side, she wept over his passing. Venus’s tears mixed with drops of Adonis’s blood and as the mixture touched the earth, small fruits appeared in the shape of hearts, later known as the strawberry. While there are many variations of this story, the passionate legend is often tied to strawberries in Italy and has contributed to the fruit’s association with love in commercial celebrations.
Geography/History
Strawberries are native to regions in both hemispheres and wild species have been naturally growing since ancient times. Cultivation of the fruits began in Europe around the 14th century, and in the 17th century, strawberries from North America and later Chile were introduced into breeding to produce larger, fleshier fruits, creating the modern-day species Fragaria ananassa. Strawberries were thought to have been introduced to Sicily sometime around the beginning of the 20th century, and in 1968, the first varieties were planted in Marsala through the efforts of Michele Foderà, a farmer of the region. Marsala is an Italian commune or municipality in the Province of Trapani in western Sicily. Foderà traveled to Veneto and Emilia Romagna to learn about strawberry cultivation and returned to Marsala to implement practices that would suit the region. Marsala strawberries were successfully grown in tunnels that help to regulate temperature and protect against weather. In the 1980s, the production of Marsala strawberries expanded across the region, and the fruit has become one of the leading and most well-known crops grown in Marsala. In 2009, Marsala strawberries were given a Municipal Denomination of Origin, also seen written as a De.Co. brand. This certification is used to promote local products unique to a region and is implemented as a marketing tool to distinguish Marsala strawberries in markets throughout Italy. Marsala has also become an important region for strawberry cultivation on the island of Sicily, and a National Strawberry Symposium is annually held in the commune to promote cultivation. Today, Marsala strawberries are grown within the Trapani Province and are a seasonal crop recognized throughout Italy for their early arrival in fresh markets. The fruits are sold directly through growers, in fresh markets, and select distributors throughout Italy, and some quantities are also sold in other European countries. The strawberries featured in the photograph above were sourced through Genna’s Market in Marsala, Sicily.
