In Goriška Brda, a land caught between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, the emerald Soča River and the Friuli Venezia Giulia, quality and succulent fruit thrive thanks to the favourable climate and fertile soil: from the well-known Brda cherries, apricots and peaches, to figs, cacti, apples and pears, and the list goes on.
The hillsides of Brda are thus adorned with orchards, which first clothe this land in a picturesque flowering blanket in spring, and later provide local farmers with delicious and aromatic fruit, the fruit of exposure to sunlight, a unique microclimate and fertile soil.
In the past, cherries were the first income earner of the season for Brda farms, and they are still an important source of income today. For more than 50 years, the Brda people have been paying tribute to the Brda cherry with the Brda Cherry Festival, and a municipal festival is also dedicated to cherries.
Drying the fruit on “piconi” (wooden spouts) and preparing “prunele” (plums processed in a special way) is certainly an important activity on Brda farms. This is a traditional method of preserving fruit for a longer period, which has been practised for centuries and is still an important part of the area's culinary heritage.
Dried fruit such as prunes, dried apricots, dried figs, dried khakis and dried pears are a popular snack or ingredient in various Brda dishes. It is often used in the traditional culinary offer of Goriška Brda, for example in various desserts, pastries and other local specialities.
The preparation of “prunele” and the knitting of “piconi” were entered in the Register of Intangible Slovenian Heritage in 2023.
