The Masseria Sant'Elia vegetable garden between nature and tradition

The Masseria Sant'Elia vegetable garden was created as a result of a conscious decision by the Calderaro family: to grow their own food, transforming agriculture into an act of care for the land and for food quality.
In the heart of Petralia Sottana, the altitude and mountain climate of the Madonie create the ideal conditions for slow and natural ripening of crops: cool nights and clean air contribute to the development of intense flavours, authentic aromas and nutritional properties preserved over time. Here, the land is respected in its natural cycles: seeds are sown with patience and harvested only when the season and the plant indicate the best time.

Whole tomato purée

The productive heart of the garden is tomato purée, defined as “whole” because the tomato is processed in its entirety, including the skin. This choice allows an important part of the beneficial substances naturally present in the fruit to be preserved, including lycopene, known for its antioxidant properties.
The processing follows a simple, artisanal method, designed to maintain the taste, colour and quality of the freshly harvested tomatoes; the result is a rich and authentic purée that restores the full flavour of the raw ingredient and forms the basis of many dishes at Il Castello Restaurant, where the choice of ingredients is an integral part of the gastronomic experience.

Seasonal vegetables

Alongside tomatoes, the vegetable garden is home to crops linked to the seasons and agricultural culture of the Madonie mountains. Production follows the natural rhythms of the year and promotes traditional varieties that are part of the area's farming history: in spring, the land offers wild species such as wild chicory, cardoons and fennel, along with local legumes such as “badda” beans, a symbolic ingredient in a cuisine linked to rural traditions.
These products are not only an agricultural choice, but also a revival of the food culture of the past, as in traditional dishes linked to local festivals and the preparation of historical recipes rich in wild herbs and products of the earth. Cultivating therefore means preserving identities, gestures and knowledge that are handed down from generation to generation.

Orchards and respect for the natural cycle

The orchards of Masseria Sant'Elia also follow the same principle of harmony with nature: harvesting takes place only when the right degree of ripeness is reached, without forcing production. For the Calderaro family, farming means preserving an agricultural landscape and transforming its wealth into food, bringing it from the land to the table without intermediaries.
At Masseria Sant'Elia, everything comes from the earth and returns to the earth, in a short supply chain that combines production and catering, offering guests an authentic experience of the flavours of the Madonie.