Cardo canuto, Cirsium
eriophorum
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Family of compositae
In Italy there is a large variety of thistles; they have medical and
edible properties very similar to the ones of artichoke (they belong to
the same botanical family).
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Use
The leaves left to infuse with white wine have tonic properties,
and they make it a good aperitif. The seeds of "cardo mariano"
are vascular tonics and the soft part of trunk is used in recipe,
boiled or cooked in a pan with butter and cheese. Its leaves, without
thorns, can be mixed with salad, and the heads, after having removed
the thorny and coriaceous parts, are cooked like artichoke: boiled
with oil and lemon, or as an ingredient of risotto or cooked in a
special manner called "alla Giudia". |
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Picture and text of Tebaldo Lorini
Translated by Gianna Toni |
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