A century of history. For an agri-food specialty it may not seem like much, but the passion and dedication that lie behind these small red fruits is full of charm... and flavour.
The first strawberry plants arrive at Ribera at the end of the "Great War": it was between 1918 and 1920 that i Sicilian veterans from the front they brought the first specimens to the city, collected in the Friulian and Trentino undergrowth. And the lands of Ribera have proven to be the ideal environment for the birth of a local ecotype: in the shadow of citrus trees – with which the strawberry has developed a real symbiotic relationship – the strawberry gives its own in spring small delicious fruits, cultivated and harvested with sacrifice and love.
How to enjoy Ribera strawberries
Purely, perhaps with a few drops of lemon, or in granitas, ice creams, jams, syrups or jellies.
Equipped with a unique flavor, pleasantly acidic and sparkling, the Ribera strawberry it is different both from normal strawberries and from its closest relatives, wild strawberries of which Ribera's is a variant.
The short duration, a maximum of 48 hours, suggests an almost immediate consumption of the fresh product, while artisanal preparations they are part of the history of the last century in Ribera. More recently, canned products from small local industries are also appearing, which allow you to enjoy the Ribera strawberry (also grown in the nearby Sciacca) even far from the town framed by rivers and the sea. In recognition of the quality and specificity, the Ribera strawberry has also become “Slow Food” presidium.
Where to buy Ribera strawberries
It is said that the strawberry is born and remains in Ribera: this is substantially true, although it is not difficult to find it in various Sicilian locations, especially in the western part of the island. This especially a Palermo, where it is also subject to transformation into confectionery e ice-cream shop.
In Ribera, during the harvest period, it is easy to find vans selling baskets of strawberries, to be enjoyed as soon as possible to fully enjoy the taste, scent and aromas of this inviting and delicate fruit. The availability in the city, throughout the year, of the products from the processing of Ribera strawberries is notable.
How to reach Ribera and its strawberries
To best enjoy the Ribera strawberry, it is preferable to directly reach the city from which it takes its name. Coming from Agrigento, Ragusa, Trapani e SIRACUSA you walk through it state road 115, While the state road 386 it is the access route from the hinterland.
Both road axes are well served by regional bus lines, which guarantee an excellent connection even for those coming from outside Sicily. For those traveling by plane the closest airports arePalermo Falcone e Borsellino Airport, about 130 km away, and theTrapani Vincenzo Florio Airport, just over 100 km.
