Sugar potato exhibition

It is only cultivated in parts of Lazio, Veneto and a few other places in Salento. Few people in Italy are familiar with the sugar potato, a tuber with an elongated shape and reddish-purple or brown colouring, yellowish flesh and a very sweet taste, even though it has no sugar. Also called sweet potato or batata' or American potato, because it was imported from America a few centuries ago. In Frigole, one of the localities in the countryside north of Lecce renowned for its production, the 'Mostra della patata zuccherina' (Sugar Potato Exhibition) will be held, organised by the Cooperativa di Comunità Terra e Mare, over two days to promote production at Km0. Educational activities and presentations, round tables with experts, music, theatre and food stands are on the programme.

After the first event of the day, at 9.30 am at the 'Federico Libertini' Social Centre, with the 'Cultivating the sugar potato' training course for students at the 'Presta-Columella' Agricultural Institute, organised by teachers and local growers, it will resume at 4.30 pm in the market area, where the Sugar Potato Producers' Association will exhibit the sweet tuber and other local products.

At 5 p.m., the 'Federico Libertini' Social Centre will host a round table discussion on 'Combining wine with dishes and desserts using the sugar potato', organised by the Ecomuseo delle Bonifiche di Frigole, followed by a tasting of 'batata' dishes prepared by the students of the 'Presta-Columella' Institute's catering course. At 6.30 p.m., 'Il mare oltre' (The sea beyond) will be screened, produced by the pupils of the 'Cantobelli' primary school, directed by Claudia Mollese, and will continue with the presentation of a recipe book produced by the Ecomuseo delle Bonifiche di Frigole and the Liceo Artistico 'Ciardo-Pellegrino' and the 'Colto & mangiato' project.

We move back to the market area at 8 p.m. for the opening of the food stands while from 9 p.m. there is musical entertainment.