Pesto Genovese, a symbol of Genoa and Liguria, has begun its path to recognition as a Unesco Intangible Heritage Site.
Find out in Pesto Fresco’s news about the world’s best-known Ligurian sauce!
It’s finally here, friends of Pesto Fresco and the Frasca e Nassa Artisan workshop in Loano, we have learned from the press: Pesto Genovese has begun its path to recognition as a Unisco intangible heritage.
On Tuesday, in fact , Montecitorio opened its mortar doors with Genovese PDO basil, Vessalico garlic, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil from the Ligurian Riviera, Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano cheese, Pecorino cheese and salt. These are the legendary basic ingredients of Pesto Genovese, the most widely used sauce in the world, second only to tomato sauce.
Liguria Governor Giovanni Toti’s speech on Pesto Genovese
“We are pursuing the path of Unesco recognition of Pesto because it is a sauce made with products of excellence, capable of promoting our country and through which to make our country a tourist destination thanks to an ancient knowledge and a tradition that is handed down.
Inside is wisdom, culture, history and flavor, and that is why we want to take Pesto to the world.
We are not talking about something frivolous: there is investment and work behind agribusiness products, and it is an opportunity to make tourism and enhance our gastronomic excellence in the world. This is why the attention of institutions is an important driver.”
The Mayor of Genoa’s comment on Genoese Pesto and its recognition as a UNESCO intangible heritage site
“In pesto there are all the characteristics of an Italian production of excellence with Basil Genovese D.O.P., Vessalico garlic, Parmigiano, Pecorino and olive oil. Basically, a territorial marketing strategy for a region squeezed between the hills and the sea that has made it its mission to use poor materials wisely, taking full advantage of the flavors. This is the case with pesto, but also with the lesser-known walnut sauce.”
A few numbers on Pesto Genovese’s application for Unesco recognition
The application for Unesco recognition of Pesto Genovese has been joined by more than 100 Ligurian municipalities and territorial bodies, 35 national and Ligurian associations, 10 Italian and foreign schools and universities, 15 organizations and international centers dealing with food culture, and more than 25 thousand signatures of support collected by Regione Liguria in 2018, during Pesto Week and numerous side events.
Present at Montecitorio for the pesto pasta tasting were Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Liguria Governor Giovanni Toti, Genoa City Mayor Marco Bucci as well as numerous parliamentarians .
(Source: pimocanale.co.uk – Ph. Pinterest)