Spelled PDO from Monteleone di Spoleto

Monteleone di Spoleto - Monteleone di Spoleto is a small Umbrian village in the province of Perugia that has a peculiarity that makes it unique not only in Italy, but also throughout Europe. In this area an ancient variety of spelled is grown which has received the DOP mark. The cultivation of spelled is an ancient tradition that seems to date back to the sixth century, but in which a local farmer believed above all.

The latter, Renato Cicchetti, gave new impetus to cereal production, adopting new sowing and harvesting techniques. In Monteleone there is also a legend concerning spelled. It seems that in the fourth century St. Nicholas found himself passing through these parts. He was horrified to see that the children were undernourished and nearly starved to death. Then he performed a miracle and blessed the spelled, which managed to feed the entire population of Monteleone di Spoleto. Today two events are dedicated to this typical product. The first takes place in December and is the exhibition-market. The second takes place in April and is called the Sowing Time, as it celebrates the very moment in which spelled is sown, to be harvested in the summer.