Pistachio of Bronte

Pistachio trees around Bronte grow on old lava flows on Etna's western flank, on ground too broken for machinery, with roots working into fissures in the rock. The trees are induced to fruit only every second year, in odd-numbered years, by removing the flower buds in the off year, which concentrates the crop; the nuts are picked by hand on steep terrain, which is why the price is several times that of other pistachios. The kernels are long, intensely green and used in pastry, gelato, pesto and sausage. The designation is protected, and a festival is held in Bronte after the harvest.

What you'll find

• The lava groves - trees rooted in broken rock too rough for machinery.
• The two-year cycle - fruiting induced in odd years only.
• The hand harvest - picking on steep lava terrain in September.
• The green kernels - long, intensely coloured nuts used across Sicilian cooking.

When to go

Late August and September of odd-numbered years for the harvest and the Bronte festival that follows. In even years the groves are not producing.

Practical notes

The harvest happens only every second year. Much sold as Bronte pistachio elsewhere is not from the protected zone. Prices are high.

Nearby

Etna rises east; the Nebrodi are north.