Overview

The white artichoke of Pertosa
The Tanagro Valley's most delicious vegetable

One of the treasures born from the fertile lands of the Tanagro Valley is the White Artichoke of Pertosa. This delicious vegetable can also be found in the territories of Auletta, Caggiano and Salvitelle, since the Tanagro river contributes to its cultivation. This particular variety of artichoke grows between 300 and 700 metres above sea level, and is quite unique both for its colour and taste.

But let's take a moment to admire this little jewel of the earth, whose beauty does not disfigure in floral compositions. It is worth taking a closer look at the colour of its leaves, whose soft green is enriched with silvery white shades. Its flowers are large, globular and spherical, without thorns, and with a distinctive hole at the top. And if beauty is not enough, it is also a very cold-resistant variety.

Beautiful and good
But now it is time to get down to business and savour this delicacy from the lower Tanagro. Its inner leaves are sweet and delicate and can be eaten raw, seasoned with some local extra virgin olive oil. Artichokes and olive trees are neighbours both on the plate and in the fields: small artichoke fields, only a few hundred square metres in size, alternate with olive groves all around the valley. They just can't keep away from each other!

The cultivation takes place on a small number of hectares, mostly by growers who tend it in small plots on the borders of bigger fields. These conditions, however, give the white artichoke an additional pride: the small production ensures that no pesticides are used in the process. Despite the absence of precise certification and regulations, the product is completely natural, healthy... and tasty! The growers deserve a special mention: it is only thanks to their efforts and love for the land that we can still speak of the white artichoke of Pertosa, which only 20 years ago was at risk of extinction.

The white artichoke of Pertosa is truly a little gem to be enjoyed at the first opportunity. It is also a boast for the territory and the local community. In short, it is a perfect candidate for the role of representative of these places. And it is precisely to celebrate a product with so many qualities and such great potential, that every year between the end of April and the beginning of May an artichoke festival is held. An event not to be missed, full of opportunities to know, taste and buy the precious white artichoke.

Credit to: Radio Alfa

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