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The first scratch map of Sardinia, you will discover 40 attractions of the Island. Each of them will make you know more local elements.
26 - CARCIOFO
In Sardinia, one of the most widespread vegetables sold overseas is the artichoke, so famous that it has its own thorny variety called "Spinoso".
Almost all of its species are grown on the island: Romano, Tema, Terom, Violetto di Provenza and above all the native Spinoso Sardo (Thorny Artichoke).
The Spinoso Sardo or Carciofo Spinoso is a product of the Cynara Scolymus species and is cultivated in many areas of the island, as a result of which the name also has its different facets: "Caltzoffa" and "Iscaltzoffa" in Logudoro, "Canciofa" in Campidano or "Sclaciofa" in Gallura.
It has a whole series of beneficial properties due to the limited calories, the rich presence of minerals, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron, being particularly suitable for sufferings related to blood sugar, cholesterol and hypertension. The vegetable has an elongated conical shape on the apical part that culminates with elongated thorns. The colour of the bracts is an intense green with purple shades.
The balance of bitterness and sweetness in the taste, crunchiness and fragrance make it unique in the whole artichoke market so much so that it has been identified as a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) product, a certification that consolidates and recognizes the fundamental criteria for the quality of the product.
There are no certain sources on the settlement of this vegetable in Sardinia, but it is known that its cultivation is very ancient. There is evidence of cultivation for family use in the nineteenth century and already in the first post-war period the Sardinian artichoke was part of an important national market.
In ancient times the Sardinian artichoke was cultivated following its natural cycle. Thanks to the summer water supply and the new irrigation systems, it has been possible over time to create a new spiny ecotype that varies its characteristics slowly until it covers the features of the current spiny artichoke.
The areas where there is the highest production are those where a series of factors are found simultaneously that create the perfect conditions for a quality crop, and are the climate, the geographical location, the agronomic characteristics of the land and not least the availability of water, in fact it is no coincidence that most of these areas reside within the districts of the Land Reclamation Consortia.
The most significant areas for the production of this product are Oristanese, Bassa Valle del Coghinas, Campidano, Nurra. The spiny artichoke is cultivated in the production areas that fall within the territories of the municipalities included in the PDO production regulations.
There are many events that follow one another with the theme of the artichoke; there are festivals, conferences and tastings that keep alive one of the most important realities of Sardinian agriculture.
The Sardinian artichoke becomes one of the best interpreters of the so current and sensitive organic food and haute cuisine.
