WILD Sardegna

There's no doubt, Sardegna is different than mainland Italia. It is less populated out here, less visited by tourists and more untouched than any other part of Italy I have seen.  The Sardegnan people are very connected with the land and the sea that supports them. They have been here for a long time- structures on this island date to pre-historic times- and they know how to handle what the land and sea offer to them. 

Sardegna is wild. 

Literally.

Last week I took a walk on the land of my hosts and was introduced to many wild foods. I was amazed at the bounty that grows freely here. These foods are not planted, cultivated or encouraged in any humanly way. They are naturally abundant here, supported by the earth, and will continue to grow as long as there is space for them.

Enjoy a virtual tour of the little piece of wild heaven I experienced last week... !!

Cactus grow all over the island, near the coast. It is dry and rocky here so these plants thrive. They eat the prickly pears just like we do in the US.

Still not sure what these flowers are called, but they are edible. They taste citrusy and spicy- and you can eat the petals and the stem.

The Absinthe plant, also known as wormwood. This is used in the liquor Absinthe and also in some bitters and vermouth. Grows well in dry soil, go figure.

Wild fennel!! It has no bulb like cultivated fennel. You eat the entire stem and frawns at the top. It has a sweet and flavorful anise flavor- YUM!

Wild garlic. Also has no real bulb at the end. You also eat the entire stem (and the small bulb it does have). It is flavorful, with a slightly sweet taste and oh so good!

Wild asparagus. Also sweeter and more tender than the regular variety. Only available in the early spring. 

And of course, many olive trees grow here in Sardegna. They make very rich oil, strong with a peppery finish- my favorite!!