The violet artichoke of Saint Erasmus, a treasure from the vegetable gardens of the Venice Lagoon
The violet artichoke of Saint Erasmus, a treasure from the vegetable gardens of the Venice Lagoon
Saint Erasmus, Vignole, Lio Piccolo – Cavallino Treporti, Mazzorbo. These four marvellous islands in the Venice Lagoon are home to a traditional food product: the Violet Artichoke of Saint Erasmus. For centuries, this delicacy has been cultivated in these places, which have preserved their agricultural vocation, even if in small quantities. The artichokes grow in clay but saline soils and at the end of April the first flower blossoms: Castraura is much sought after. Today, a registered trademark safeguards the product.
Features
Thorny but tender with elongated leaves, it is harvested until June and used to prepare many dishes. From aperitifs to dressings, its use is manifold.
It is protected by a consortium and has been a Slow Food Presidium since 2004.
History
According to Michele Borgo of the Consortium of the Violet Artichoke of Saint Erasmus, “the first sources describing it date back to 1872, thanks to lawyer Stivanello and also land registry documents dating back to 1826 which outlined its cultivation mainly in the lagoon islands such as Saint Erasmus, Vignole, Lio Piccolo and Mazzorbo. In 2004 recognition as a Slow Food Presidium was obtained, one of the first in the Veneto region. Both of these, the birth of the Consortium and the Slow Food Presidium can be considered a winning bet”.