Herbs and Mushrooms of Sicily

HERBS AND MUSHROOMS OF SICILY - INTRODUCTION AND IN-DEPTH LOOK AT FIELD IDENTIFICATION AND NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS.
AIGAE guides Salvatore Marletta, Giuseppe G. Chiarenza, and Paolino Uccello, together with Dr. Giuseppina Di Pasquale, are organizing a course in Ragusa at the UISP headquarters (Iblei Territorial Committee, Via U. Giordano, 57 - 97100 Ragusa). This course is dedicated to environmental introduction and interpretation, specifically focusing on medicinal and edible herbs, mushrooms, their classification, toxicity, edibility, and the theoretical and practical nutritional aspects of using herbs in our diet, as well as the nutritional components of the ancient Mediterranean diet and its health benefits.

The program will be structured as follows:
Two-hour classroom sessions every Friday from January 27, 2017, until March 10, 2017.
Meeting location: Via Monte Cencio, s. n. - 97100 Ragusa.
Meeting point: Via Mongibello, "FERRAMENTI E COLORI LEGGIO" parking lot, Friday the 27th at 5:45 PM.

The instructors will cover the following theoretical topics in their individual lessons:
Instructor Giuseppe G. Chiarenza, AIGAE guide, membership no. SI 275, and mycologist trainer, registered under no. 350 with the Autonomous Province of Trento and no. 2255 in the National Register of Mycologists.

PROGRAM

Friday, January 27. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• Course presentation.
• Biology of epigeal mushrooms and their ecological importance.
• Morphology and structure of epigeal mushrooms.

Friday, February 10. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM  

• Prejudices regarding mushrooms.
• Main edible and toxic mushrooms in Sicily.
• Introduction to Systematics.
• Mushrooms in comparison.

Friday, February 17. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• Introduction to toxicology.
• Mushrooms permitted for collection and trade.
• Final exams and certificate issuance.

Instructor Uccello Paolino, AIGAE guide, membership no. SI 264, and trainer. Collaborator: Fabio Amenta, AIGAE member, nature guide, and trainer.

PROGRAM

Friday, February 03. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• Iblean fitoalimirgia (the study of wild edible plants).
  
  

Friday, February 24. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• Preparing my own medicines (folk remedies).

Friday, March 10. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• Flora and fauna of the Iblean Canyons (Cave Iblee).

Instructor Dr. Giuseppina Di Pasquale, biologist, nutrition expert, freelance professional.

PROGRAM

Friday, March 03. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM  

• “From Nature to the Table: The Ancient Mediterranean Diet Applied.”
  A meeting aimed at clarifying and informing on the theoretical and practical aspects of applying the Mediterranean Diet, the products that the Sicilian nature offers, and the consumption recommended by experts to achieve health benefits and enhancement.

Sunday, March 19. 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

• Excursion with a practical lesson for field identification of wild herbs and a visit to the medicinal plant farm of Dr. Alfredo Uccello in Canicattì Bagni. Packed lunch.

Registration open until January 24, 2017.
Maximum number of participants: 25.
Registration fee: € 115.00.
Discount for AIGAE members: € 95.00. (Training credits requested for AIGAE guides).
Contacts:
Salvatore Marletta, AIGAE guide no. SI 260
Mobile: 3334987946
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Note: The lesson schedule may be subject to changes based on any needs that arise during the course.