One of nature's perfect foods here in Italy is enjoying its very short season. Agretti, also known as barba di frate (monk's beard), is a grassy vegetable which normally grows in marshy lands. When it is very young and tender it can be used as a component in a salad. Its slightly astringent flavor betrays its high iron content. It is also a good source of Vitamin A.
My favorite way to enjoy agretti is in a quick sautee of olive oil, garlic, peperoncino and just a touch of grated lemon rind.
It is the ideal bed for broiled fish, or an excellent general side dish. It's just a shame that the season is so short!
9 comments:
I'm so envious! I love barbe di frate, but they are just not available here. Last time I was able to eat them was ... quite a few seasons ago!
Mmmmm...mi fai venire l'acquolina in bocca!!!
Buona giornata!
Vale
Almost reminds me of one of the types of seaweed we eat in Hawaii (although becoming difficult to find). Thank you, I am going to read up more on it.
Cara,
It took me a couple of seasons, before I dared try le barbe. Totally agree. They are just delicious. Enjoy every minute of this "green" season - short, yes, and intense! Bacione, Ingrid
sounds delicious...I have never had them.
Casalba had a post on these sometime ago. I'll have to look for them now that I'm heading to Positano.
Diana-thanks for writing about this green. Last spring when I was in Arezzo I saw it in the market and wasn't sure what it was to what to do with it! I should have just bought some and experimented.
I've never heard of this before. I hope I have a chance to try it sometime.
Agretti - I just love them but you can't find them here in the states. We planted some seeds yesterday that we bought in Italy. I'm hoping they will grow in our garden and that we're not too late already.
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