In the first decades of the 17th century, Michele Vaaz de Andrara created a small village around an existing farm and populated it with 90 families. For this reason, San Michele Salentino was called Massarianova. The history of San Michele Salentino then followed that of the populous centre of Ceglie, until the suppression of feudalism. Over the decades, it seemed useful to aggregate the settlement to the municipality of San Vito degli Schiavoni (now San Vito dei Normanni).
The population of San Michele insisted that the town be made autonomous by San Vito, but the dispute ended on October 25, 1928, when the town was established.
The territory between San Vito dei Normanni and Ceglie Messapica is one of the places of greater production of almonds and figs in Puglia; these campaigns boasted different cultivars of almonds and figs, and by these fruits, the almond fig is prepared.
The tradition of drying figs was practiced by peasant families. But the idea of enriching dried figs by adding almonds was born in San Michele Salentino. Here the families began to use the fruits to make a simple, complex and rich dessert.
The preparation takes place by collecting the figs that are maturing: the white Dottato varieties are used, which are opened, flattened, and left to dry on racks of reeds in the sun for a week. Once the right degree of drying has been reached, a toasted almond is placed within the open fig. The preparation of the almond figs begins at the end of August.
Well, if you want to attend the Festival of the Almond Fica then renamed the Almond Fico, which is celebrated in August, the farm Le Terrazze di Serranova is the right place, just 15 km from San Michele Salentino.
The chef of our farm house will be happy to make you taste the fig almond in a very, special version.
The Puglia holidays Farmhouse “Le Terrazze di Serranova” is a charming hotel in Puglia, located on the Via Francigena Puglia and Cammino, starting point or arrival point for slow travel tourism in Puglia. An opportunity to enjoy a holiday at the slow pace of nature while savoring traditions, customs and dishes of the places.
For slow travelers, looking for the Via Francigena Puglia, our farmhouse holidays boutique hotel, provides bicycles to reach the old sheep tracks and beaches of Torre Guaceto. On request we provide a shuttle service to the beach and airport.
Contact us for Easter Puglia offers or to have some idea about your holiday’s Puglia.
