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Agretti (Salsola Soda) is ONLY found in the Mediterranean Basin and is NOT Japanese Salsola Okahijiki . Agretti As sought after as truffles so (UK ONLY and we may ration supplies if demand outstrips supply). Sold on a first-come-first-served basis. **Featured in the Independent in this great article http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/agretti-the-italian-vegetable-that-chefs-are-fighting-over-10077674.html and **As seen on Masterchef 10/4/14. Agretti / Roscano / Barba di Frate Also called Roscano or Barba di Frate (Salsola Soda), this is very popular in Italy and has become the latest in vegetable in fancy Italian restaurants.
When mature(50 or so days) they are a 12 inches wide, 24 inch tall bush that looks like a huge chive and they are used mainly in Rome and Umbria. Really good with fish and seafood, it is a mild flavoured green which is a little bit bitter, a bit sourish, but a lot wonderful !!
Almost impossible to find in the UK and very, very gastronomic. You can just braise them in some olive oil w/ garlic and serve as a side dish. Can also boil them and dress with some olive oil. Plant as soon as the ground can be worked. Sow and cover with 1/2 inch soil. Space seeds 4-6 inches apart. Thin to one plant 8-12 inches apart in row or raised bed. Germination time: 7-10 days Start cutting from the plants when they are about 6-8 inches tall. Cut the green tops or sections of the plant; it then will re-grow. It has a very short sowing window and the seed will NOT keep, hence it's rareness. 10g pack. Customer advice - please compare the price per gram of this variety very carefully when shopping around. @30 seeds
I didn’t have much luck growing agretti many years ago but I thought I’d give it another go. They grew well this time but I honestly can’t see what the fuss is all about. I found the young shoots bland, tasteless even, and if left too long they have the texture of prickly grass. Not nearly as tasty as marsh samphire.
I tried twice to get this to germinate, without success. Not sure what I'm going wrong.
All the seeds sprouted. Very good!!!
Bought a packet and sowed in early March but it took a long time for germination due to a miserable spring. I thought I'd lost them and then noticed strange tiny stems with the seed still on top. Nothing further happened for a while and then once the sun came through and it warmed up the seed began to sprout. Just enjoyed a lovely first harvest steamed for 7 minutes with fresh fish and a squeeze of lemon. They're delicious and retain a satisfying crunch even when cooked. Will buy again for next season and sow the whole packet this time, A truly different yet extremely easy to prepare vegetable. Excellent!
My seeds came in a timely manner and I was really impressed with the customer service. I had forgotten to put a couple of seed packets on the list so emailed- the company phoned me and organised it in a really friendly and professional manner- which counts for so much these days.
