The San Marzano tomato is a type of vegetable grown in Campania. Only tomatoes from the Agro Nocerino and Sarno Valley areas can obtain the DOP designation.
Of course, the product's authenticity is guaranteed by the Consortium for the Protection of the Tomatoes. But the history of this variety, found only in certain areas of Campania, is far more intriguing and fascinating.
According to some historical reconstructions, the birth of the first cultivation of San Marzano tomatoes dates back to 1770. In that year the viceroy of Peru, traveling in Campania, donated some seeds to the king of the Kingdom of Naples.
These were planted in one of the most fertile areas of the Naples area, currently located in San Marzano sul Sarno. The volcanic soil later contributed to the birth of this special and unique tomato variety.
San Marzano Tomato: Characteristics
The San Marzano tomato can be easily recognized among thousands of other tomatoes. It's the only one with the typical elongated shape. All the others, for the most part, are round and vary in size.
This typical Campania product, however, can be of any size, from small to large. This variety's typical color is red, and it is also characterized by the absence of a stalk and its staggered ripening.
Before reaching 100% ripeness, the tomato will undergo color changes ranging from green-yellow to bright red. True Pomodorino San Marzano DOP tomatoes are between 60 and 80 mm long.
With a compact and fleshy pulp, it is mainly used for the production of sauce, peeled tomatoes and food preserves.
It cooks much faster than other types of tomatoes, and is at its best when making sauce, where it perfectly retains all its flavor.
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Nutritional values
San Marzano tomatoes are a staple in the much-loved Mediterranean diet. They are an irreplaceable staple, especially in summer. Rich in protein, they are recommended for daily consumption.
For 100 g of cherry tomatoes, the calorie value is extremely low and equals 17 kcal.
The above nutritional value comes from:
63,53% carbohydrates;
25,88% protein;
10,59% fat.
Production area:
As already mentioned, to obtain the DOP designation, the San Marzano tomato must be grown exclusively in the Agro Nocerino Sarnese area, or in the Sarno Valley.
With the exception of the municipality of Montoro, in the province of Avellino.
The other production areas are all within the provinces of Salerno and Naples. Among the most important are:
San Marzano sul Sarno (SA); San Valentino Torio (SA); Scafati (SA); Baronissi (SA); Fisciano (SA); Mercato San Severino (SA); Castel San Giorgio (SA); Siano (SA); Roccapiemonte (SA); Nocera Inferiore (SA); Nocera Superiore (SA); Sarno (SA); Pagani (SA); Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino (SA); Striano (NA); Poggiomarino (NA); Pompeii (NA); Sant'Antonio Abate (NA); Cisterna Castle (NA); Santa Maria la Carità (NA); Boscoreale (NA);
There are 11 other municipalities in Naples where it is grown only in part of the municipal territory.
