Spiny Artichoke of Sardinia: prickly yet tender and a bit sweet

It’s a vegetable so special and unique that it deserves its own name: the Artichoke of Sardinia. Specifically, it’s known as the Spiny Artichoke of Sardinia. What makes this artichoke special? The main peculiarity is its suitability for raw consumption due to the particular characteristics of both the head and the stem, which are particularly sweet.

More generally, however, the Spiny Artichoke of Sardinia presents very distinctive features that set it apart from all other artichokes: an elongated compact conical head, a green color with violet-brownish nuances, yellow spines, a slightly fibrous, tender, and edible stem, fleshy bracts that are tender and crispy, a full-bodied taste with a balanced synthesis of bitterness and sweetness, and the presence of tannins balanced by the sweet flavor. It’s an artichoke that earned Protected Designation of Origin status in 2011.

A Family Treasure Turned Famous

The artichoke is a vegetable native to the Mediterranean basin, with its earliest culinary records tracing back to the ancient Egyptian and Greek civilizations. Cultivating artichokes in Sardinia has a rich history; the distinguished Sassari nobleman, Andrea Manca dell’Arca, already documented its presence in his 1780 work “Agricoltura di Sardegna” (Agriculture of Sardinia).

Initially, this vegetable was cultivated in family gardens. However, its commercial cultivation began around 1920, particularly in the coastal regions of Sassari and Cagliari provinces. These areas, boasting ports that facilitated trade with the Italian mainland, fostered the spread of the Spiny Artichoke of Sardinia’s reputation. Since then, it has been sold under its distinctive name, serving as both a mark of quality and a testament to its origins.

By the late 1960s, there was a surge in artichoke exports to affluent markets in northern Italy, including Milan, Genoa, and Turin. Artichokes were packed in large chestnut wood baskets, each containing two hundred to three hundred pieces, and a single Sardinian artichoke could fetch as much as 40 lire (roughly equivalent to 4 euros today).

Beneficial Properties

The Spiny Artichoke of Sardinia stands out as one of the vegetables with the highest nutritional value. In general, artichokes are notable sources of vitamins A, C, PP, and B2, as well as various minerals including potassium, calcium, sodium, and iron, alongside phenolic compounds. They boast a notably high percentage of total fiber content, which is evenly distributed between soluble and insoluble fiber. Notably, the natural antioxidants in artichokes, essential for neutralizing free radicals and thus crucial for cancer prevention, remain unaffected by any cooking method.

Furthermore, the Spiny Artichoke of Sardinia is rich in nutrients renowned for their potent detoxifying effects on the body. It’s recognized for therapeutic properties such as stimulating diuresis, aiding liver detoxification, and lowering blood cholesterol levels. With significant levels of carbohydrates, minerals, iron, potassium, phosphorus, polyphenolic substances, and various vitamins – particularly those from Group A – the artichoke offers a comprehensive nutritional profile.

Additionally, artichokes contain cynarin, a compound that aids digestion. As an interesting botanical tidbit, the artichoke’s botanical term is Cynara Scolymus. From Cynara stems the name Cynar, a celebrated Italian digestive liqueur crafted from artichoke leaf essence and infused with thirteen herbs and plants.

Production Area of the Artichoke of Sardinia

In the production area of the Spiny Artichoke of Sardinia, all the suitable pedoclimatic characteristics for its cultivation are found. Its natural habitat comprises coastal areas, which benefit from specific microclimates, and the central plains of the island. Since its development is predominantly in winter, it’s important that winters are not characterized by frequent frosts.

The production area includes various municipalities in the provinces of Cagliari, Carbonia-Iglesias, Medio Campidano, Oristano, Nuoro, Ogliastra, Sassari, and Olbia-Tempio. The agricultural companies of the Spiny Artichoke of Sardinia PDO are 72, covering a total of 500 hectares cultivated and 14 facilities.