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Raw materials/Variety/Race
The Cardon Épineux Genevois AOC is a vegetable coming from the local variety of Cardon Épineux Argenté of Plainpalais.
Method of working/Cultivation/Breeding
The Cardon Épineux Genevois AOC is produced exclusively from the Cardon Argenté Épineux of Plainpalais variety. Seeds come from plants carefully selected by a college of Genevans. They are sowed and planted in spring but reach maturity the following year only. Even if the cardon doesn't require too much attention, its numerous prickles don't make its culture easy. Plants are blanched in order to remove their bitterness. This process takes place directly in the production field where each foot is covered with a black plastic bag, or in cellars where cardons are stocked with their clod. The vegetable is then washed, selected and packaged in order to keep only the most tender cardon stalks, deprived of their filaments and softened by the blanching process.
Aspect and Taste
The Cardon Épineux Genevois AOC is a voluminous plant, 1,5 m tall. The cardon stalks are large and full, the leaves have a bright green colour on the top and are silvery on the underside. Cardon belongs to the same family of the artichokes and their taste is very similar. They have an intense flavour, close from the heart of artichoke flavour, enhanced with some nut and butter notes.
Production Zone
The production area of the Cardon Épineux Genevois AOC includes the canton of Genova, partly located on the edge of Léman Lake, in the southwestern part of Switzerland.
History
The production of cardon in Genova is the result of an ancient tradition. Its origin is linked with the story of the immigrated Protestants who came to Plainpalais after the revocation of Nantes Edict in order to escape from persecutions. They were good farmers and they succeeded to fructify the Cardon Épineux seeds that they had brought with them from their home. Over the years, Genevan farmers selected the best plants for the multiplication. Among the last regions cultivating the cardon in Europe, the Geneva canton is the only one which still produces the prickly cardon.
Gastronomy
The product can be conserved for five or six days in the refrigerator. The Cardon Épineux Genevois AOC is consumed cooked. It is traditionally consumed at Christmas, gratiné and accompanied with a fowl.
Marketing
The product is sold as Cardon Épineux Genevois AOC. It can be marketed in different typologies: in raw branches, in conservative cans, sterilized or fresh and ready-made.
Distinctive features
The Cardon Épineux Genevois AOC is a very healthy product. It is low in calories, has no fat or cholesterol and is high in fiber. Differently from the other varieties of cardon, the Cardon Épineux Genevois AOC has full stalks, few filaments and conserves a firm and crispy texture at cooking.