a.k.a. susina: plum
Whatever the name used to refer to it (prugna o susina), this is a fruit I have always liked, so much so that last June we planted a small plum tree (prugno, o susino) in our garden. It is doing so-so and will probably be moved to a more suitable location in the fall. Since prugna may remind you of prune, let me clarify that the latter in Italian is prugna secca (literally, dried plum).
I like pretty much all varieties of plums (prugne o susine), though I miss the one that was my favorite as a child, golden in color and very sweet. I have been buying plums at the farmers' market to eat and make fruit spread with (the most recent incarnation was a plum and blackberry mix). Together with peaches (pesche), plums suggest to me warm summer days.
Last Wednesday, it rained and then the light changed, indicating the shifting from summer to fall. We have had some wonderful sunsets, with the sky turning bright orange, then dark pink. Peaches and plums will soon become a sweet memory. Before it is too late, let me suggest an easy way of tasting them: cut a peach and one or two plums into bite-size pieces and add to them two dollops of fresh mascarpone. Sit down, relax and enjoy the warm light of the waning day. By the way, the mascarpone in the photo is home-made - by me. But that is a story for another day.
Special announcement: I have the honor of hosting the current edition of Fresh Produce of the Month, an event authored by Marta, An Italian in the US. Follow the link to see the roundup of the previous edition (about strawberries) and to read the rules for participating. This month, the focus is on eggplants (melanzane). The deadline for sending your submissions is September 21.
Hear me pronounce the words on the prugna o susina audio file [mp3] or go to the prugna o susina audio page for more listening options.
