Spring has Sprung at Markets in Italy
- ItaliAndrea
- May 3
- 2 min read
Updated: May 4
It's spring in Italy and vegetable markets are bursting with new items to explore, some known around the world, and others, yet to be discovered outside the boot.
Upon setteling in our adopted new home in Padova, it was important to choose a vendor among the many. We shopped around, but Cristina and Massimo quickly won us over for their excellent quality, diverse selection and friendly service. The people who work in their stand are quick to offer preparation advice and recipe tips. It's a nice to hear "ciao Andrea" upon walking up.
Some items are familiar...
Others, not so much...
In fact, the below seasonal produce grow as weeds in the countryside. Svein thought it would be nice to head to the hills to forage for greens to save some money, but it's hard to tell a safe weed from a poisonus one, so the market it is!
Agretti, also know as friars' beards, may look like a cross between grass and chives, but it's flavor is nothing of the sort; it's very mild. We like it cooked in a pan with olive oil but our favorite way is blanched, shocked and then served as a salad with lemon dressing- tip from the veg stand. I have never seen anything like agretti in the USA, but it's quite popular in Northern Italy.
Bruscandoli (wild hop shoots) and carletti (no direct translation) combine to make great risotto or pasticcio, which is our name for lasagne in the Veneto region.
I had heard about rosole or wild stinging nettles from the likes of Mario Batali, but had neither eaten, nor prepared them. Down South (USA), we don't have these! From the name, I expected something as bitter as rapini with a zip from the stickers. Nope! Again, mild and mellow when cooked.
Puntarelle, a type of chicory, is actually a winter veg, but it's still lingering into early May. They are difficult to prepare so I leave the work to the experts and buy the "cheaters version" on the right. It makes great salad. It will soon be gone until next winter so enjoy it while you can!
What are your favorite finds at the springtime markets? We would love to hear!
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