Prunes Taste SO Much Better Picked Fresh Off the TreeThe Early Italian prune has dark purple skin with yellow-greenish flesh that runs dark wine color when cooked. It separates freely from pit. This good commercial quality prune variety produces ten days to two weeks ahead of regular Italian.Fruit is large and has a rich flavor and is very sweet when fully ripe. It is used as fresh, dried or canned prunes. Early Italian prunes are vigorous and are a cold hardy tree.* Commercial quality prune* Large & sweet fruit* Cold hardy .