last chance to get roman artichokes

the aphrodisiac of the ancient romans isn't here all year (+ another reason why you should visit Rome in the Spring, not summer)

There’s a lot of talk about Rome and artichokes. Everyone who comes to Rome wants an artichoke. Usually a fried one, alla giudia - the Jewish-style artichoke, because these savory babies were born in Rome’s Jewish ghetto, a specialty of Jewish housewives since as far back as the 15th century.

More on Jewish housewives later (no Rome does not have its own Bravo Housewives Series…yet).

The thing is - as many scramble to Rome for Pantheon photos and fried ‘chokes this summer, they are getting bamboozled because they aren’t eating OG carciofi.

These babies only make their appearance in the late winter and Spring, bidding us all a good adieu - or shall I say arrivederci - by the end of April or maybe if we’re lucky through to May.

Remember - we love this aspect of Italian cuisine, right? It’s seasonality. We adore that many Italians still live their lives adhering to the birthing schedule of Mother Nature. I - as a born again nonna - couldn’t live without my market and all its seasonal goodies in Rome.

And, no matter how famous artichokes get on social media, it ain’t going to change a thing.

I’ll tell you why.

---