Fleshy, tasty and fragrant. It can be eaten raw, simply dipped in a little olive oil, but local recipes also feature it in many traditional dishes and in particular in combination with bagnacauda. Cultivated since the beginning of the 20th century along the fertile banks of the Tanaro river, it made the fortune of the market gardeners of these lands, especially in the area of Costigliole d'Asti and in the hamlet of Motta right by the river. Its distinctive, cubic shape with four harmonious, rounded lobes, its unique flavour and marked crunchiness proved very successful and up to 40-50 thousand quintals were produced in the 1970s, making Motta di Costigliole one of the richest areas in the Asti region. However, although highly appreciated by the markets, new, more profitable crops began to make their way in: first flowers, then hazelnuts, and before long pepper cultivation began a slow and steady decline. Thus the famous Motta square pepper became very rare, although the traditional festival that the village organises in the last week of July still survives. The risk of losing even its seeds was very high and it was thanks to the bold initiative of young, motivated farmers who, driven by a great passion, began a research project, reintroducing its cultivation and giving a new chance to this delicious vegetable that has recently, but rightfully, entered the Slow Food presidia.
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