Savours and Traditions

The cultivation of rice is the strongest agricultural tradition in the territory of Novara. For more than five centuries the phases of rice cultivation have influenced the lifestyle of the local population all year round. Today, though technology has reduced the number of rice farmers, the extensions of the paddy-fields still characterise the plains of the region with a uniformity that has nothing to do with monotony, appreciated by whoever is in the position to distinguish its nuances and suggestions. Each phase of rice cultivation – from the preparation of the soil to harvest, passing through sowing and flooding – is bond to specific period of the year, creating different atmospheres and a wide variety of emotions. Following the national classification, the 125 varieties of rice presently cultivated in Italy (12 of them represent 80% of the total Italian production) are grouped in 4 categories: “tondo”, “medio”, “lungo A” and “lungo B”. The varieties are grouped according to their properties: shape, size, consistency and flavour of the grain.In the territory of Novara two varieties of aromatic rice are cultivated: the black Venere and the black Artemide.

Il Riso The expression "Land of water" is immediately associated to the spring landscapes in the southern plain of Novara, a huge plain made of the so called "squared sea": the rice fields, which are flooded...

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Le Rane If it's true that the rice fields are the typical landscape of the Plain, their peculiar inhabitants, the frogs, can but abound on the Novarese tables. The combination rice and frogs is classic. Here...

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Paniscia And every village found the way to distinguish itself for a peculiarity an even minimum variance of the traditional meal, as much that the Plain's cooking can pride itself to be particularly rich....

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