Cultivate Italian vegetables

Italy has long been one of the world's leading countries in organic farming, with around one million hectares cultivated in this manner today. It was also here, in the Italian monasteries, that the first herb gardens were established. Italy is therefore often referred to as Europe's first garden. In addition to herbs and vegetables, fruits such as apples, pears, cherries, apricots, citrus fruits, figs, and even a variety of nuts and almonds are grown here.

Piennolo tomatoes - also known as eternity tomatoes, Piennolo originally refers to five types of thick-skinned tomatoes that can be stored. They grow on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius near Naples and have a bittersweet taste that becomes even better after cooking. The great thing about Piennolo tomatoes is that they can be stored hanging in a cluster over the winter, and they actually improve as they start to shrink. The tomatoes are best stored in a cool place with temperatures of 11-15 degrees Celsius, but they can also be hung at room temperature. It is the thick skin, high sugar content, and low water content that make these tomatoes so easy to store. Of course, there are also many other types of tomatoes that add an extra taste of Italy to dishes.

Arugula - Arugula is widely used in Italian cuisine, and it is often the wild arugula variety that is most used. These have narrower leaves than other arugula varieties and have a slightly peppery taste. Wild arugula is actually the same as sand mustard, while "regular" arugula has broader leaves and a milder taste. Both varieties are used in Italy in pies, salads, and carpaccio. You can make a super simple, delicious salad by mixing arugula with a few drops of lemon and a good olive oil. Arugula is very easy to grow and can be grown both outdoors and indoors, for example in a window sill.

Squash (Zucchini) - Squash originally comes from America, but most new varieties have been developed in Northern Italy. Today, squash is a staple in Italian cuisine and is typically served in Mediterranean-inspired stews, soups, and pasta sauces. It is also good to fry with garlic. Squash requires a little care with nutrition and water, but is otherwise easy to grow. Like most Italian vegetables, squash thrives in a sunny location. The flowers on the plants can also be eaten, for example by filling them with good cheese and frying them.

Among other vegetables commonly used in Italian cuisine, we can mention pumpkins, artichokes, celery, bell peppers, and radishes - all worth growing for a more Italian twist on cooking.