Fagiolo Viola Di Asiago
(Fagiolo Sèklen, Fagiolo Viola di Asiago)
(Pole) The oval and slightly flattened seeds of Fagiolo Viola di Asiago are an uncommon lovely bright shade of purple. Commonly called ‘Fagiolo Sèklen’. Introcduced to Canada from the bean collection of Russell Crow. He cites his original source as a trading friend in Volpiano, Italy. 10 Often sold in North America as “Fagiolo Viola di Assiago” and “Viola di Assiago”.
Days to Maturity:
History
Fagiolo Viola di Asiago is a regional and ancient Cimbrian variety. 1 It originates from one of the largest plateaus in Italy, the Altopiano di Asiago [‘Altopiano dei Sette Comuni’ (Plateau of the Seven Municipalities) or ‘Asiago Plateau’] on the Vicentine Prealps in Vicenza. 2, 3 The Cimbri (‘Zimbern’ 4, 5) are a Celtic or Germanic minority of Bavarian origins in Italy whom immigrated during the Middle Age “to the north-western Veneto”. 2, 6 This ethnic group lives within several alpine provinces in northern Italy most notably in the Asiago Plateau. Fagiolo Viola di Asiago was likely cultivated by the Cimbrian in the areas of Roana, Mezzaselva and Rotzo. 7
This local variety risked extinction due to its lower yields and was displaced in favour of higher yielding beans. 8 According to Braccia Rubate, Fagiolo Viola di Asiago was “until recently grown by a few families in the area.” 9 It is now “at the heart” 9 of an agricultural initiative founded in 2015 by Plateau inhabitants Gastone Azzolini, his son Cesare and six other producers in order to preserve the local varieties. 7, 9 ‘Legumi Che Passione’, a family business, similarly supports local growers to preserve native Asiago Plateau varieties for market. One such producer of the Fagiolo Viola di Asiago is Renzo and Luigina Benetollo, of Civiltà Contadina farm in Posina. 8