The olive harvest around Enna: a day among centuries-old trees
When summer fades and the first rains cool the hills, one of the most awaited harvests of the year begins in the countryside around Enna: the olive harvest. Between October and December, depending on the year and the variety, the olive groves come alive again with voices, crates and busy hands.
The myth of Kore, which tradition ties to Lake Pergusa, tells that in autumn Demeter's daughter returns to Hades and the earth prepares for its winter rest. And yet this is exactly when the olive tree gives back a whole year's work.
Farmer for a day, among centuries-old trees
To experience the harvest up close there is Silvia Turco's “Farmer for a day” in Enna. Her olive grove is a place where history and farming become one, with centuries-old trees that still bear plenty of fruit.
You gather the olives at the foot of the trees, feeling all the energy these ancient trunks give off. Then comes the ritual of the merenda, the traditional country snack: everyone sits down together and the hard work turns into a convivial moment to share.
Silvia is one of the champions of biodiversity in Sicily. In her fields she also shares ancient grains, wild herbs and old varieties of pulses, and in other seasons she takes visitors to harvest almonds or to discover wild orchids in bloom.
The experience is available on request: from its page you can write to us to find out when the harvest is on.
From olive to oil
A good extra virgin oil does not wait: the harvested olives go to the mill as soon as possible, because the shorter the time between picking and pressing, the more aroma and freshness the oil keeps.
The best way to taste it is the oldest one: raw, on a slice of bread, over a pulse soup or on vegetables. With nothing else around it, you can tell at once what an oil is made of.
Hundreds of varieties, at Pergusa
If you want to go further, inside the Lake Pergusa Nature Reserve you can visit the Zagaria Olive Germplasm Field: a collection of hundreds of olive varieties from all over the world, arranged by geographical area. Visits must be booked with the Reserve's managing authority, and going with a guide is recommended.
The consortium's extra virgin oil, at home
If you can't come and pick them this year, you can take home the Kore Siciliæ extra virgin oils: “Il Secolare”, from centuries-old trees, in a one-litre size; “Il Favoloso”, for everyday cooking, good raw and for light cooking; and “Il Favoloso” Selection 500 ml, our finest selection, to use raw to finish dishes and for tastings. We ship throughout Italy.
