Santa Maria a Monte | The “patata Tosca”

The Santa Maria a Monte potato is an early potato of excellent quality. Also called the Tosca, in memory of a poem by Giosuè Carducci who lived here with his family while teaching in San Miniato, the potato has small, thick, light green stems with small inflorescences with white flowers. It is elongated oval in shape with a yellow skin and flesh, and has a good resistance to cooking, making it ideal for all culinary preparations.

The Santa Maria a Monte potato is often mentioned for the production and trade of potatoes, as a guarantee of the taste and goodness of the product, thanks to the cultivation area and the techniques used. The main sources to refer to in order to research the origin and reconstruct the history of this potato are the inhabitants of the municipality who have known it since childhood. As documents found in the municipal historical archive testify, the potato was considered a staple product of the local economy as far back as the time of the Communes.

The Santa Maria a Monte potato is honoured every year in mid-August with the Sagra della patata fritta (Fried Potato Festival), which takes place in the historic centre of the village.