The violet artichoke of Saint Erasmus, a treasure from the vegetable gardens of the Venice Lagoon

14 October 202214 October 2022 Sabina Castelfranco 0 Comments The violet artichoke of Saint Erasmus

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”.

Sabina Castelfranco

Radio and Television Journalist with 30 years of experience as a Correspondent and Producer, Sabina Castelfranco was born in Buenos Aires, grew up in Italy, Spain and America and graduated at the London School of Economics. After passing the Italian State exam as a professional journalist, she became a reporter for Vatican Radio, CBS Radio and Voice of America among others. Since 1998 she works as a producer for CBS 60 Minutes and freelances for all major American, British and Australian networks.