- The fichi d'India or prickly pear plants, that is. How have I missed this stage in over two years in Sicily?
By the way, I have a guest post up about the fact that I am not exactly one of life's nature lovers over at James's today.
My Top Catania Travel Tips
4 weeks ago
22 comments:
Cacti/succulents often seem to flower only once every few years I think. Not that I know a lot about them. Except I've been known to kill them!
Your posts on food, plants and fruits makes me realize how much Sicilian influence my Fathers parents instilled in him. Even though he has never been to Sicily he has passed on to me all these wonderful Sicilian treats. I always wondered why he planted loquat (nespole) trees, cactus,50 tomato plants every season, acres of fava beans and mustard. We ate spaghetti five nights a week and he preferred Monterey Dry Jack, considered the poor mans parmesan, on spaghetti and with bread and wine. Except for the raw fava beans I love those same things. Thank you for opening up my eyes!
Hi, Liz. I seem to be good at killing them off, too! Pinkacorn, you are very kind. Your father's tastes were definitely Sicilian. Sicilians do love their mustard greens and fava beans! You'll soon be seeing it all for yourself!
are these very common in Sicily then? lovely photograph.
Thanks, Lady M. Yes, they grow everywhere in Sicily and are a symbol of the island.
I am not sure about the variety that grows in Sicily; some prickly pears only flower at night and wither the next day. Perhaps that could explain why you haven't noticed the flowers before.
Thanks, marymary. I'm sure the flower wasn't out before lunchtime but when I wandered back after my aperitif at the AP, there it was!
I shall check it out. I remember seeing these flowers in Corsica last year.
Hi welshcakes - do you have the prickly pear in Sicily? I made the huge mistake of picking one up at the greengrocers - I had tiny little prickles in my hands for days..
Thanks, Ellee. Janejill, they grow all over the place here. the fruit is delicious but I made the same mistake as you when I first came to Sicily in 1992. If you buy them from the supermarkets here, most of the thorns have been removed, but if you get them elsewhere, they won't have been.
Interesting photo. Some cactus flowers are very fleeting so you were lucky.
I read the spider post over at James's and commented. Very funny, well that's the way I saw it.
regards
jmb
Welshcakes it isn't that you aren't a nature lover- its that you don't love spiders a very different thing! Interesting post as ever- I'd never seen one of these!
Yes, they do flower, Welsh...you must have been blinking when they did! ;)
Is this a sort of cactus, or is it just paralell evolution?
I take it you can't eat them?
On the subject of Crocs;did you buy a pair? Article in yesterdays Daily Mail,'Walking Miracles'
experts verdict on Crocs;"These are amazing. A hard shoe will cause rubbing,while these are very soft. For diabetics these shoes may help prevent feet from bruising easily. Very comfortable. Because of the cushioning,these would help with sole and heel pain,bunions and painful arches. Rating 8/10. Thought you might be interested to read this.
Ooooh so pretty! What a lovely surprise!!! Bright colored flowers never fail to pick up my mood :)
Here's the risotto recipe I told you about. As you're an accomplished cook no quantities - you'll know what to do, it's really just the flavourings that are unusual.
Sweat a red onion in olive oil (not butter) and as it starts to soften add (for 4 people) a 2 inch cube of fresh root ginger cut into julienne strips. When onion and ginger are soft but not coloured add the rice, cook for a minute or so, then a good slurp of white wine. Have simmering a pan of vegetable brodo ( a dadi is fine) and add it in the usual way. About half way through the cooking, add the grated zest of a lemon. Stir in parmesan or pecorino before serving and hand extra - it's truly delicious, and somehow cooling on a hot evening. A glass of prosecco goes down a treat with it too!
Hi, jmb. Yes, the flower's not there today! thanks for your comment at James's. Thanks, Gracchi. Well, I hate spiders more than anything but I'm really not a country girl at heart! Lee - blinking - that must have been it! Well, Crished, you can eat the lovely fruit when it comes but that's not till October.
thanks for the info, marymary. I haven't tracked a pair down yet but they are being advertised here. I fancy a pink pair! PB, they cheer me up too. Thanks for the recipe, Sally. It sounds wonderful. I like the idea of having ginger in there!
We have many of these in South Australia. They only flower for a few days a year. Very dramatic and beautiful and then gone just as soon as they arrived.
You should make some "tequila" from them, Welsh! ;)
CC, those are lovely pics you have of cactus flowers over at your blog. Lee, what a good idea!
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