Field of Dreams - Giuseppe Rea, Azienda Agricola Rea, Somma Vesuviana (Na)

Giuseppe Rea

I first met Giuseppe, a.k.a Peppe,  Rea back in February (here). Peppe Rea, Azienda Agricola Rea - also part of the coop Officina Vesuviana. He didn't speak much, but his tomatoes did.  His Pomodorini del Piennolo del Vesuvio.  Those feisty tomatoes that grow in the fertile soil thanks to past eruptions by Mount Vesuvius.  Those spunky little  pomodorini which carry a PDO  (Protected designation of Origin) classification can and will only make their way to vegetable stands and markets thanks to the hard work, dedication, and passion of  farmers like Peppe.

    Last week I decided to back and take a tour with Rea.  This time Peppe had a lot to say.  Not only with his words, but in his eyes.  Eyes of a young farmer who nearly seven years ago decided to turn his passion into a profession.  Not an easy decision, he confessed, as he drove me through the narrow back roads of Somma Vesuviana.  Not easy, but one that makes him happy despite the day to day challenges of growing this demanding labor intensive tomato.  

    Rea parked his piaggio and we hopped out.  From a distance, I could only see rows and rows of green vines with the occasional wooden pole for support.   It was around 5:30 pm, the sun had lowered a bit, but we still felt the late June/early summer heat.  But that didn't slow Rea down.  He led me along the rows of his tomato plants with a sparkle in his eye and pride in his voice. 

    We stopped  at one row, Rea bent over and pointed out the elongated pear shape with that familiar tip.  These tomatoes were still green, but I could almost imagine how they would be in just a short bit of time.

    Yes, in just a bit it would be harvest time, where after months of daily attention,  Peppe and his small team would come back and pick the tomatoes by hand.  Pick them by hand, then transport them to his home where he would select which ones would he would like to hang on hemp string in bunches anywhere from 1 to 1 1/2 kg.  Bunches that would hang comfortably and cozy in a dry area as their flavors and fragrances deepen.

    It seemed like every row had a different story.  This particular stop also had the red Pomodorini del Piennolo, note any differences?  

    Another part of Rea's field of dreams produced Peppe's  Pomodorino giallo del Monte Somma, his yellow tomatoes.

    Final stop?  A look at Rea's Pomodorino arancione dl Monte Somma, his orange tomatoes.  These tomatoes, hanging on the vine, close to the ground, yet protected by the sun by the plant's leaves were just waiting.  

    And Peppe's eyes watched it all, observed everything as we took a last stroll through his field of dreams, campo dei sogni, which would soon be ready for the 2020 harvest.  His tomatoes would soon be ready to be grouped in those picturesque bunches, or maybe in jars as preserves, or used to make some pretty fantastic pâtés.  

     

Last week I decided to back and take a tour with Rea.  This time Peppe had a lot to say.  Not only with his words, but in his eyes.  Eyes of a young farmer who nearly seven years ago decided to turn his passion into a profession.