Roberta
in Polizzi Generosa - IL GUSTO DEI COLORI
Roberta has focused her attention on endangered crops, creating a community around heirloom variety vegetables, and building a food-safe kitchen where to create value-added products for herself and the community of growers.
Farmer and expert in responsible tourism
Roberta’s story in the Madonie begins in 2009 when, after having worked in international cooperation, Roberta moved to Polizzi Generosa with her husband Francesco. Here they become growers of the Badda bean, a well-known Slow Food Presidium in the area. Shortly after, they started a new project with other local farmers to cultivate the endangered Polizzi pepper, called “pipiddu” in Sicilian. In 2016 Roberta opened a small processing laboratory allowing her to create new collaborations with Slow Food Presidia growers throughout Sicily. She now produces seasonal and quality preserves with growers from around Sicily. For Roberta, responsible tourism is, like agroecology, an approach that makes up a holistic philosophy of the place. A philosophy where nature and culture, and therefore territory and community, live in harmony. Roberta loves putting travelers in contact with locals, their collective memory, and their ingrained knowledge handed down from generation to generation.
WHERE
Polizzi Generosa
Travelers like temporary citizens, co-participants of the community
Polizzi Generosa, is characterized by splendid landscapes, open spaces, and little human intervention. The itineraries I have created try to bring together the natural and human peculiarities of our territory in just a short stay. They aim to allow visitors to “taste” the best there is. My goal is to make travelers feel like temporary citizens, co-participants of the community, and not just tourists.
Roberta is an eclectic and knowledgeable woman who has put her expertise at the service of the land and the local community. Her vision continues to inspire all of us at The Heart of Sicily, as well as our visitors.
Travel with Roberta
