Lampascioni - bulb vegetables, very summer-like!

The lampascioni are herbaceous plants that display beautiful purple flowers in the summer. They are commonly found in the regions of Puglia and Basilicata. The edible part is their bulb, which is located at a depth of about 10-20 centimeters. It is similar to a spring onion and has a slightly bitter flavor. 
 

Their nutritional and beneficial properties are many; in fact, they contain: 

- flavonoids, a powerhouse of water-soluble antioxidants that make up
vitamin P; 

- they are rich in sulfur, an essential mineral for muscle tone, it helps to purify and detoxify the body from external agents or toxin builds up, it cares for the skin and gives shine to the hair and improves cardiovascular disorders; 

- they also contain saponins, with anti-inflammatory and healing properties, and pectins that contribute to intestinal regularity.
 

Great for a low-calorie and detoxifying diet that supports skin and hair wellness. Particularly suitable during the winter months, after the binge eating of the holidays. 
 

The bulb of lampascione has a slightly bitter flavor as mentioned earlier. It can be enjoyed on its own or as a valuable ingredient in many recipes. It pairs well with slightly sweet base dishes like zucchini, sausage, omelettes, pumpkin, eggplants, and mushrooms. For a delicious appetizer, we suggest a warm crostini with a base of eggplant cream and lampascioni in oil. They make a wonderful pair! Another sparkling idea we recommend for a not-ordinary pizza includes: lampascioni in oil, sun-dried tomato petals, and black olives. All drizzled with a generous splash of extra virgin olive oil from Grignano Bio. An irresistible dish!
 

There are many recipes to enjoy with this exquisite ingredient. Let your imagination run wild!