>>>why do you love sal's corleone?
Good question!
Possibly because of its other sym is "Fico di Capo",
think 'very bad' aka, mafioso! People sometimes love bad stuff origin!
An other possible reason is that Martha Steward played
some part in it in one of her TV shows.
BTW its eye does shallow split.
George (NJ).

fico di Capo has nothing to do with bad people. Thats a simple translation of " fig of the cape " where it comes from in Sicily. Corleone is A small village there In the Province of Palermo. I don't understand the whole Mafia connection to the fig. I'm sure the brothers at Belleclaire never would have intentionally brought the Mafia stereotype to the fig, We Italians don't always like the negative stereotype of the Mafia always placed on us. Some don't mind, but the majority of us do. I am asked quite often if there is mafia in my family, i simply say nothing. Either I make real good meatballs or I'm in the Mafia!!!! I didn't mind correcting you Gorgi, you quite often correct others about small things, you can take it!!! :) Ciao I mean no harm, I don't think Mafia everytime I hear Chicago Hardy fig, or Bensonhurst Purple.

Italiangirl, that is an excellent response. I have no doubt you make some good meatballs!:)
This is way off the forum subject but I'm actually looking for a good recipe for Taralli. If you happen to have one, could you email me off the forum? Ciao. L_E

Ciao Leon, I will get to you off the line about the Taralli, Ciao, Maggie.

Sorry, my intention was not to offend anybody in particular.
Will remember never to bring the subject again. All my
friends and relatives (by marriage) of Italian/Sicilian
descent, are all very respectable people.

does the fig itself taste amazingly wonderful?
is the tree gorgeous?
what is it about it that makes everyone want one.

I'm sure your intentions were well Gorgi, I have 3 very good friends who live in Corleone, Provincia Di Palermo, Sicilia. Alot of Americans inparticular go to the village to visit and all talk about the Mafia. Corleone was never really known for the Mafia or Cosa Nostra, ect. The only reason why the godfather movies was centered around Corleone was it was cheap to film there as the main Actor, Al Pacino, All his family was in real life from the Town. The Pacino family was very welcoming to the film crew ect. Al did say they were a little concerned with the Mafiosa aspect of the movie, and that villagers were angry they would support the filmcrew there for bringing such a horrible stereotype to the people in the town. I heard from someone who said that anytime the word Corleone comes up, they think of the Mafia. Most of the People in Corleone hate that negative aspect of the movie and what it brought to their beautiful area of the world. Would you agree however that to answer Brigita's original post was that the Sal's Corleone is a rare fig to have due to the mixup with the names. One could say that that kinda brought up the hipe about this particular variety, considering that Belleclaire was the original owners of the Sal's Corleone, then with the mixup at Edible landscaping comparing two very distinctive trees, Hardy Chicago and Sal's as being the same. I would imagine if you could trace your sal's Corleone somehow to the Original Belleclaire that would be a real find considering how people swapped and butchered up the name? And also with there being two trees named sal's. I kinda wanted the tree for my Uncle Sal due to the namesake. Wonder if anyone else has any answer to Brigita's original question. I would Assume the Di'Paola brothers got it from a Siciliano named Sal who most likely brought it from his homeland in Corleone. Whatya think gorgi? Ciao

brigita

Figs that grow and produce well in colder areas (and have especially good tasting fruit) are highly sought. Many people rate Sal's to be among the best for those conditions.

As someone in zone 9, its not likly you would find Sal's (either or) to be especially worthwhile, but I could be wrong....

Additionally, a revered fig nursery, Belleclair's, was the source of Sal's (Corleone) (which is where that part of the discussion began) closed so hunting its best known and most highly rated varieties is a goal of many collectors.

Sal's fig also has a controversy surrounding it (there are two figs, supposedly depending upon who you ask) with the same name. Two highly respected 'authorities' have come down on different sides of the issue. (of course, since figs can act differently depending upon a number of factors who knows what the outcome of the whole thing will likely be)

Does that help?

~Chills

I recently received some interesting information about the origin of Sals from a contact in the Northeast. Sal lived near Huntington Station on Long Island. I donÂt know the time frame. He had this fig that may have also had a name Âthe Â2nd story tree since when it wrapped, the top was bent in to the 2nd floor window in the winter. This is supposedly a fig that made its way to Belleclare just like most varieties that move from one place to another. What is interesting to me is the description of this particular fig which does not seem to match other SalÂs varieties. This is a small green fig having some blush and a strawberry red interior. The fig is highly regarded because of its Âhardiness and a very interesting characteristic of holding its late ripening fruit. The figs apparently dry on the tree and can be eaten by dates. The person who I had contact with apparently got a side shoot of this fig directly from SalÂs place many years ago.

I am curious about this fig because it has a different description from other 'Sals'figs. Does anyone have any ideas about what variety (ethnic or otherwise) this fig might match? Small green figs donÂt seem to be that common. Does anyone have any information about Sal and if he grew more than one fig variety. I am fascinated by this story.

Ingevald, "Sal" is a fairly common Italian name. Different figs - and probably different "Sals".

Fignut -
Thanks for your perspective on the naming issue. Much appreciated. In a few years I will hopefully have some figs from the cuttings and can see for myself if it matches up with any descriptions.
Ingevald

Here is some more confusion!
I do have Sicilian Black/Sals's Fig specimens:
(1) Sal's (EL) - mostly confused with HC.
(2) Sal's (Corleone - BC#31) touted as the original -
have the tag that says so!
(3) Sal's from JR(of LA); definition same as (2), seems very similar, but may not be.
(4) My recent local UnKown that seems to ID as 90%+ same
as(2), but may not be. I am still in very hot pursuit for the source...
(5) SB from IF (vendor says NO relation to Sal, just an SB)

Do NOT have these (but wish to for comparing):
(6) BC#39, possibly same as (1)?. I had a sample of (1)
with me when I visited, but was not recognized as such or anything!
(7) BC#85 : Sicilian White (Raffadale,Scilly) (Sal's)...???

Do also have a
(8?) BC(#?) Fico di Capo Verde (no other sym or SB/Sal here!)
Castelle Mare di Golfo = CASTELLAMMARE DEL GOLFO?)
which I thought goes-with/compliments (2), which up to
this day are still the most 2 expensive 1' fig twig I ever bought.

I understand that Sal is a very a common name (my M.I. also
translates to that). Any fig newbie with the name Sal,
please think very carefully before you name for favorite fig.
Here is my first pic of FdCV (mispelled 'Verte' = Verde).
George (NJ).

a big thank you for all of the useful and quite interesting information.
i appreciate all of you and your time and knowlege!!
brigette