The Cervere leek
The soil and the climate of Cervere, where this vegetable is grown, have particular characteristics for which the leek acquires a sweet taste and is more tender and digestible. This leek is part of the typical products of the province of Cuneo.
Main features
The Cervere leek has a long and thin stalk. It is white in the upper section and is usually sold in typical bunches of 20-30 leeks of the same size, with the green part just above binding point. It has sweet and delicate taste, and it is sowed between March and April. It is cropped in Autumn and is can be easily harvested during the winter season if stored in a dark and cold place.
Area of production
Municipality of Cervere.
History
In ancient Egypt, the leek was eaten by the slaves working on the pyramids. From that period, it survived along the centuries into the Roman-Greek period. Pliny named this plant “porrum”. In the Middle-Ages, the leek, together with a limited number of other plants, solved the food problems during famines and pestilences, which recurrently struck the populations. Today, the leek is known, cultivated and distributed all over the world. The ancient tradition of Cervere leek is proven by the local of variety “porro lungo d’inverno” (long winter leek), traditionally named and known as “Cervere”. Its particular cultivation methods are handed down from generation after generation. The “Porro di Cervere” represents more than two thirds of the entire leek crop in Piedmont.
The fair
The Fair, which takes place every year in November and has as its main purpose the promotion and enhancement of Porro di Cervere, will celebrate the 40th edition this year, continuing to promote the knowledge of the delicious vegetable through two main moments: the market show that for sixteen days is held at the “Mercato del Porro” in Via IV Novembre, during which local producers sell the product to visitors and the gastronomic review at the “Palaporro” installed in Piazza San Sebastiano, during which they are presented dishes based exclusively on leek, cooked in the most original ways.
Programme:
Saturday 9th November
• Parade from Piazza Umberto to the Porro Market Pavilion accompanied by the performance of the Flag-wavers and Musicians Principles of Acaja of Fossano
• Opening
During the inauguration conducted by Sonia De Castelli the gastronomic twins will be celebrated with the following excellences: the pepper of Carmagnola, the bagna cauda of Faule, the morsels of goose of the Palio of Fossano, the Cotechino of Cervere, the fondue of Moretta, the PDO Gorgonzola of Cavallermaggiore, the sausage of Cervere, the Cruset of Argentera, the Lamb Sambucano of the Montana Valle Stura, the potato of Entracque, the Quaquara di Genola, the bread of Venasca and the Baladin beer
• Celebration of the 40th edition of the Fiera del Porro Cervere: for the occasion Sunday 17th and Sunday 24th at dinner the Panse Jaune, historical dish of the Porro Cervere Fair, will be exceptionally re-proposed on the menu.
• Delivery of commemorative plaques to Porro producers
• Delivery of Porro D’Oro
• Afterwards aperitif at the Porro Cervere Market pavilion
• At Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano from 6pm to 10pm gastronomic evening with a la carte menu – free admission
• At 10 pm evening dance with the Lory Group Orchestra
Sunday 10th November
• From 9 to 18 at the Porro Cervere Market Pavilion in Via IV Novembre opening of the Porro Cervere market exhibition and typical products market
• Visit to the Terre del Porro: shuttles with a guide to discover the Porro Cervere valley and the remains of the Monastery of San Teofredo
• At 12.30 at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano lunch with a fixed menu, by reservation
• From 4pm to 6pm afternoon with THE ITINERANT CHOIR 4 + 11 and THE FAMILY BAND 4
• From 18 to 22 gastronomic evening with a la carte menu, by reservation
• At 22.00 evening dance with SONIA DE CASTELLI and her Orchestra
• From 15 to 18 at Piazza Umberto and Piazza San Sebastiano free guided tours organized by the Volunteer Association for the Art Section of Fossano to the Church of the Virgin Mary of the Assumption, the Confraternity of Santa Croce and the Chapel of San Sebastiano. Info: 366 4788815
• From 9 to 18 at Piazza Umberto fair area “The flavors of the territory”
• From 2pm to 5pm through the town streets: street entertainment for children with Marick, juggling clowns, face painting and balloon sculptures
Monday 11th November
• From 7pm to 10pm at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano gastronomic evening with a la carte menu – free admission
• At 10pm evening dance with the MIKE Orchestra and the Sympathetic. Guest POLIDORO
Tuesday 12th November
•At 12.30 pm at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano 36th gastronomic competition reserved for Cerveri housewives (delivery of dishes by 11.30 am). N.B. Competitors must be present in the kitchen for a possible heating of the dish. Once tasting is complete, it is necessary to collect dishes and dishes (the Pro Loco declines all responsibility). The winner will be notified during the evening of Sunday 17th November
Wednesday 13th November
- • At 8pm at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano gastronomic evening “Delicate Meetings between the Fish and the Porro Cervere” (fixed menu by reservation)
- At 22.00 evening dance with orchestra Liscio 2000
Friday 15th November
- At 20.30 at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano Youth evening with dinner and concert. Continuous musical entertainment with DJ Paolino Malatesta
- At the 22nd concert of ABCD BAND
Saturday, November 16th
- At the Oratory – Piazza Umberto photographic exhibition “The country is me”: itinerant journey into the world of inclusion starting from children in modern age to disabled children – free entry
- From 6pm to 10pm at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano gastronomic evening with a la carte menu – free admission
- At 10 pm evening dance with FREE MUSIC BAND “GROUP”
Sunday 17th November
- From 9 to 18 at the Porro Cervere Market Pavilion in Via IV Novembre opening of the leek market and typical products market.
- Visit to the Terre del Porro: shuttles with a guide to discover the Porro Cervere valley and the remains of the Monastery of San Teofredo
- At 12.30 pm at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano lunch with a fixed menu, by reservation
- From 4pm to 6pm, traveling afternoon with IJ STICK
- At 7 pm gastronomic evening with fixed menu with the exceptional return of the Panse Jaune, by reservation
- At 10 pm evening dance with the group I FIGLI DELLE STELLE awarding of the gastronomic competition
- From 15 to 18 at Piazza Umberto and Piazza San Sebastiano free guided tours organized by the Association of Volunteers for the Art Section of Fossano to the Church of the Virgin Mary of the Assumption, the Confraternity of Santa Croce and the Chapel of San Sebastiano. Info: 366 4788815
- From 9 to 18 at Piazza Umberto fair area “The flavors of the territory”
- At the Oratory – Piazza Umberto photographic exhibition “The country is me”: itinerant journey into the world of inclusion starting from children in modern age to disabled children – free entry
- From 2pm to 5pm through the streets of the town entertainment for children with Marick, juggling clowns, face painting and balloon sculptures
Monday 18th November
- From 7pm to 10pm at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastianofood and wine evening with a la carte menu – free admission
- At 22.00 musical evening TRIBUTE TO VASCO ROSSI
Wednesday 20th November
- At 8 pm at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano “In full Baladin beer!” The Bistrot of the Baladin Open Garden interprets the Porro Cervere (fixed menu by reservation).
- At 10 pm TUTTAFUFFA DJ set
Thursday 21st November
• At 3 pm at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano, entertainment with Zapotek for children in primary, primary and secondary schools
Friday 22nd November
• At 8 pm at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano gastronomic evening “the Porro Cervere meets the excellence of the territory” in collaboration with the Butcher Leone with the raw meat, the veal sausage with Cervo Porro and the boiled Piemontese breed, the Pro Loco of Carmagnola with pepper, the Pro Loco of Faule with bagna cauda, the Pro Loco of Fossano with the morsels of goose from the Palio, the Pro Loco of Cavallermaggiore with the PDO Gorgonzola, the Antica Corona Reale with the Cervere-Moretta dish : Giacomo’s cotechino on Fondue INALPI with Golden Alps Cheese, the Pro Loco of Argentera with the traditional Cruset of the Alta Valle Stura, the Consorzio l’Escaroun and the Cooperative Lou Barmaset with the Lamb Sambucano, the Pro Loco of He entered with the typical potato, the Pro Loco of Genola with the Quaquara, the Garnero Mauro bakery with the bread of Venasca, the Moscato d’Asti Cantina Damilano, the new Genepy Argentera of Bordiga
Saturday, November 23rd
• From 6pm to 10pm at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano gastronomic evening with a la carte menu (free admission
• From 10pm musical entertainment with the TNT Group (PARTY BAND)
Sunday 24th November
- From 9 to 18 at the Porro Cervere Market Pavilion in Via IV Novembre opening of the leek market and typical products market.
- Visit to the Terre del Porro: shuttles with a guide to discover the Porro Cervere valley and the remains of the Monastery of San Teofredo
- From 15 to 18 at Piazza Umberto and Piazza San Sebastiano free guided tours organized by the Volunteers Association for the Art Section of Fossano to the Church of the Virgin Mary of the Assumption, the Confraternity of Santa Croce and the Chapel of San Sebastiano. Info: 366 4788815
- From 9 to 18 at Piazza Umberto fair area “The flavors of the territory”
- At 10.30 am at Palaporro – Piazza San Sebastiano conference
- At 12.30 lunch with a fixed menu, by reservation
- From 16 to 18 afternoon of music and songs: AURELIO SEIMANDI with BIRIKIN and THE FAMILY BAND
- At 7 pm a gastronomic evening with a fixed menu with the exceptional return of the Panse Jaune, by reservation.
- At 22.00 closing celebrations with DONATELLA – Italian Melody and Orchestra GRIBAUDO GROUP
• From 2pm to 5pm in the streets of the town animation on the street for children with Marick clown jugglers, face painting and balloon sculptures.