The cultivation of peas on the terraces of the hills of Colognola ai Colli became established in the second post-war period since, when silkworm farming ceased, no longer profitable, farmers discovered this crop which soon became established on the markets, representing a good source of income. Despite the fact that over the years the cultivation of peas has declined in favour of industrial activity, the love for this tradition and the desire to preserve the flavors of the land prevented the disappearance of the “Biso di Colognola”.
The favourable climate of Colognola ai Colli is certainly very favourable and thanks to the exposure of the land to the south and the altitude (just under 200 m. a. sl), the crops are not subjected to stagnation of humidity, due to the fog. The soils are of high quality due to their chemical composition. The hills of this small provincial village are of Eocene origin and, for some stretches, are formed by basalts and basaltic tuffs that determine the formation of a sufficiently fertile soil layer. The soils in the plains are, however, mostly of river-glacial origin.
Many are the recipes that see the pea protagonist of famous Italian dishes, but famous typical dishes of Verona are the “Risi e Bisi” and “Le lasagne coi Bisi. ” There are also other recipes such as “Faraona coi Bisi” and “Cappuccino di Piselli” that is a cream of peas.