“If you want to get married, you have to collectvirdura”: the vanishing custom of gathering and cooking wild food plants on Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Sicily

Traditional knowledge of wild food plant gathering and cooking persists among the elderly population on Vulcano, one of the Aeolian Islands, despite the growing influence of industrialized foods. The study recorded 52 wild and semi-domesticated plants and one mushroom used in local cuisine, highlighting their cultural significance, health benefits, and connection to past agrarian lifestyles. However, this practice is at risk due to detachment from younger generations, particularly as mass tourism reshapes the island's environment. The findings underscore the need for sustainable eco-tourism initiatives to preserve and revitalize this vital aspect of local heritage.

Cucinotta, F., & Pieroni, A. (2018). “If you want to get married, you have to collectvirdura”: the vanishing custom of gathering and cooking wild food plants on Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Sicily. Food, Culture & Society, 21(4), 539–567. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528014.2018.1481263