The navel oranges are from Ribera DOP!

In 1820 in Brazil, in a monastery, this particular juicy and sweet orange was born, characterized by a small navel at one end, which in English is called Navel. The orange was obtained from a single mutation and has the unique feature of containing a very small orange inside, situated at the navel's pole. Navel oranges come in various types: those from Vito Perricone of the Azienda Cascio Carmela are the famous Washington Navels, very sweet, perfectly sized, seedless, ideal for eating at the table or for fragrant juices. 
 

All the production of the Azienda Cascio Carmela of Villafranca Sicula is strictly Organic, and the care taken by Mr. Vito Perricone in the fields makes it one of the most significant in terms of quality. Only oranges of caliber 3-4: among the best sizes! An unspoiled environment where the plants are allowed to produce without too many interventions that force their yield. No treatments or use of sexual confusion traps and hormones that attract parasites, trapping them in waxes. The orange groves are rich in butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, revealing a healthy environment. On some plants, bees have built their hives, and inside, one can see the honey made from orange blossoms. 
 

The harvesting is done by hand: in Vito Perricone's farm, gloves and a strict cleaning protocol are used for all those employed in the harvesting. Before entering the field, body cleanliness is essential. Smoking is prohibited in the fields. In short, the oranges are and must be kept pure until they reach our tables. Moreover, they are not waxed or treated, so the peels are very good for use in pastry, cooking, and for candying to pair with dark chocolate.
 

In addition to oranges, the Cascio Carmela farm also has beautiful lemon, grapefruit, and citron trees. An orchard rich in beautifully fragrant mandarins. A plot on the hill overlooking the beautiful village of Caltabellotta, perched on the mountain.
A magical place where the climate is particularly breezy. During the flowering and ripening of the citrus fruits, the scent that emanates is intoxicating and balsamic. A short distance from the orchard, there are about thirty bee houses for the production of a honey with intense aromas and flavors. 
 

Villafranca Sicula is located on a hill about 350 meters above sea level. It is the town that gave birth to the charismatic Cardinal Pappalardo of Palermo. It is also the municipality of oranges and falls within the DOP Ribera.
It is located in the province of Agrigento, and here the green patches of orange groves and citrus orchards look like paradise oases emerging from the typical Sicilian clay. 
 

The oranges of Vito Perricone are produced within the DOP area of Ribera oranges. One of the most prestigious areas in the world for the production of navel oranges. These oranges have a thick skin, a navel, and an average weight of 250g. Usually, spherical or oval in shape, they have 11 segments and abundant light orange juice, with a sugar/acid ratio of 12. The seeds are absent. They are great for eating fresh or for juicing. Their juice is also ideal for creating delicious orange cakes. 
 

Due to the size of the segments and the absence of seeds, they are perfect for the table. We also recommend a simple traditional Sicilian recipe, which is to eat them in a salad with wild fennel, a few drops of extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt (in Sicily, onion and olives are often added). They are superb. The peel is excellent, as it is untreated, and can be used to infuse flavors into cooking bases for white meats, grated into leavened cake mixtures; ideal, as mentioned earlier, for being candied and sugar-coated on the surface. 
 

The peels contain very important essential oils known as Portugal oil, used mainly as flavorings in the perfume and soap industries, etc.. The oranges are a very important source of vitamins C, A, and B vitamins, particularly Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin (PP). With 2 or 3 oranges a day, you can meet the daily requirement for vitamin C. Furthermore, blonde oranges contain a significant amount of bioflavonoids. These substances, when combined with vitamin C, actively aid in the reconstruction of connective tissue, collagen. This pairing of vitamin C and bioflavonoids also facilitates venous blood flow and strengthens capillaries, reducing their fragility and breakage. Oranges are also rich in terpenes that, when taken regularly, have been scientifically recognized as very effective in preventing colon and rectal cancers. 
 

The vitamin C in oranges, in addition to the previously described properties, has a significant action on iron absorption, which is useful for the production of red blood cells. It strengthens the immune system and helps prevent colds and ailments from the cold. They are thus perfect in winter for children. 

 

The B vitamins contained in the peel, in particular, are an excellent remedy against loss of appetite and for improving digestion. To make an excellent digestive, take the orange peels without the white fibrous part and place them in one liter of hot water without boiling. Let it steep for about 10 – 15 minutes while maintaining the temperature, and the decoction is ready. 

 

You can order the oranges directly on Spaghetti e Mandolino, and the order goes directly to the Azienda Cascio Carmela. Vito Perricone picks the oranges based on requests and packs them in boxes for you based on the quantity you decide. Vito has also assured us that he will surprise you... so they will ship from Villafranca Sicula directly to your home. Enjoy your meal!

Fabio De Vecchi