Slow Food: La Pera Cocomerina

Every once in awhile it happens. You run into something amazing that only a few people know about and want to share it with everyone. On our way home from the beach this weekend, we stopped in the tiniest town called Le Ville di Montecoronaro di Verghereto in the province of Forli-Cesena. My husband insisted that we go off the beaten path so I can get my hands on the most amazing jam called Pera Cocomerina. No it is not a joke as I thought it was. Why is this jam so special? It is made with the fruit Pera Cocomerina which grows only in this area. The name is because the pear has a watermelon (cocomero) red color in its center. The fruit is small and weighs from 20 to 60 grams. The fruit is sweet and its trees are very few, about 45 left all in this area of Italy. They are protected trees in that a committee (presidio) has been created to make sure they do not become extinct or destroyed in any way. If you are in the area of Forli-Cesena, make sure to stop by Le Ville. You can only purchase a maximum of two jars of jam!