The Produce of the Val di Fassa

The typical products of the Val di Fassa – just a few, but all of them are good!

The cuisine of the Val di Fassa is linked to the past traditions and produce of the alpine region. As we have already mentioned, few products are grown in the mountains because of the harsh climate and impervious terrain that leaves little space for agriculture. In the past, when there was no tourist industry, the valley’s economy was extremely poor; people survived by breeding sheep and cattle and thanks to their hard work in the few barley and rye fields. Nowadays these activities have all but disappeared to make way for the tourist industry, which is evidently more profitable. During the summer months, the natural produce available includes mushrooms, berries and a limited variety of vegetables. However, in summer there is a noteworthy production of dairy produce such as milk, butter and cheese. During the summer, cattle - which also come from other areas - are taken up to the high alpine pastures where they graze on the fresh, extremely healthy mountain grass. Thus you will find typical cheeses from the summer alpine pastures, which local farmers sell directly or which are to be found on sale in the valley shops. Of these, we should mention the Tosella Fresca, and Puzzone di Moena produced by the Moena and Predazzo dairy. The name of this latter cheese comes from its characteristic strong smell and it is one of the most prized varieties of cheese in all Trentino. At this very time, those who produce this speciality have applied for the DOP (denomination of protected origin) mark. There are also other important local cheeses, such as those from the Campitello Dairy.

Speck, a smoked, cured ham originating from the South Tyrol and luganeghe (local sausages) are consumer products in the valley, where they are directly prepared in all butcher’s shops or in small firms. Lastly, worth mentioning is the small-scale honey industry, which is most certainly more thriving in the Val di Fiemme.

Fishing is permitted in the Val di Fassa, in the River Avisio and in this area, it is possible to catch different varieties of trout. For more information, see the section about fishing.