Sweet memories of Tropea

This time we want you to tell you about my last experience in one of the most beautiful places in Italy in my humble opinion, which is Tropea. Tropea is municipality located within the province of Vibo Valentia, in Calabria (south of Italy).

Tropea beach and town

The history of Tropea begins in Roman Times, when along its coast, Sextus Pompey defeated Octavius. In the south of Tropea, the Romans had built a commercial port, in the locality of Formicoli (from the name Forum of Hercules).

The legend says that it was Hercules who, returning from Spain, stood on the Coast of Gods and made Tropea one of his ports.

Due to its peculiar position as terrace on the sea, Tropea played an important role during Roman, Norman and Aragonese times. In the surrounding areas have been found tombs dating back to the Magna Graecia period.

This little city is a fantastic attraction to tourists, expecially in the summertime. Beaches and sea are unbelievable awesome, and plenty of tourists from all over the world visit it every year. It’s a very romantic city, ideal for spending a vacation with your better half.

Tropea is not famous just because it’s a beautiful city, but also because of his most typical product: the sweet red onion of Tropea. The red onion of Tropea is famous for its sweet red onions named after the glamorous beach town of Tropea. During the month of May and June you can buy them freshly harvested at roadside farm stands. Later, in June and July, they are sold at markets along the streets.

The trasures of Tropea sold in the local market

The history of the famous onion of Tropea is well documented and can be traced back to its introduction by the Phoenicians from present day Lebanon around 2000 years ago. The Greeks also planted them in a stretch of land from Fiumefreddo Bruzio to Nicotera.

Pliny the Elder in his “Naturalis Historia” lists thirty ailments which can be treated by onions. He also pointed out that any dishes containing the onions are, to a certain extent, curative as well as more nourishing and tasty.

Red onion Patè with balsamic vinegar, a phenomenal pairing.

These famous red onions are grown in an area which stretches in both directions along the coast from Tropea. The onions belong to the lily family and are of 3 distinct types:

- the 'cipollotto' which is sweet, soft and white and harvested in October;

- the 'cipolla fresca' with similar properties but a little more red/violet having a long stem and harvested in April;

- the 'cipolla da serbo' which is dry, crunchy, sweet and harvested in June.

These onions are used to prepare so many recipes you can’t even imagine! Jams, soups, pasta, marmelade… and even ice cream! Yes, ice cream! In all the Tropea central streets you will find ice cream shops where among all the usual flavors of ice cream, there will be also the sweet red onion one.

Tropea, an experience you can’t miss!