El alimento y su dimensión socio-ecológica. En torno al tomate «rosao» de la Sierra de Aracena

Abstract

«Rosao» tomato's revival in «Sierra de Aracena» (Huelva, Spain) is not a unique case, but rather an illustration of parallel processes in other areas. The study of this tomato variety and its socioecological significance allows us to shed light on key concepts promoting rural development policies: heritage, development and everyday life-experiences. Hence, we have worked on their production, distribution and consumption means, as well as on the symbolism and conviviality that accompanies it. Food is not a simple object; our peculiar relationship with it makes its « heritagization» acquire specific dimensions. Similarly, the process of recovering this food-variety offers particular insights to understand certain rural development dimensions beyond strict market logics. In short, we inquire on this horticultural variety's renaissance to improve our understanding about the extent to which the abovementioned process may contribute to a socio-ecological rural development recovery.