Beans

In Gradoli, in the municipality of Bolsena (VT), the ancient Volsinii where the Orvietani lived for centuries during the Roman occupation, theso-called "Fagiolo del Purgatorio" or "Purgatory Bean" is grown. It is a local ecotype close to the cannellino or white kidney bean variety. Small in size, it cooks fast, all to the advantage of the organoleptic characteristics which remain practically intact. There is also a special three-day Festival dedicated to the "Purgatory Bean", which is held every year beginning on December 8th. The "fagioli dell'occhio" or "eye beans" are also greatly appreciated. They are probably of African or Asian origins and were known to the Greeks  and Romans and are found throughout the Orvieto countryside. Fagiolo secondo del piano or “the second bean of the plain” This local variety of beans was common and appreciated up to the post-war period but was then replaced by other types of seeds. The name is derived from the fact that there would be a second sowing with this type of bean on land previously sown with wheat or other cereals. On the other hand the term plain referred to the predilection of this legume for valley terrains especially near rivers or streams, with a sufficiently humid microclimate that made watering or irrigation unnecessary even it was sown in summer.   This method of cultivation and the particular variety produce a relatively small bean, uniformly light brown colored and with an excellent taste, especially in its dried version. At present it seems to be grown only by specialized farmers and market gardeners in the Orvieto area and is not yet available in packaged form from larger producers.