Omelette with vartis (wild hops): a touch of wild spring on your table
Today we present a typical recipe from Piacenza, the omelette with vartis (wild hops), prepared with a wild herb that we call Vartìs, in Veneto it’s called bruscandolo, in Lombardy asparagina, in Campania viticidda.
The magic of wild hops
The vartis, or wild hops, is a spontaneous plant that grows luxuriantly in the countryside of Piacenza. Its tender and aromatic tips are a true culinary treasure, perfect for enriching dishes with a unique and wild flavor. They are harvested from March to May, and it’s an ingredient with a thousand properties: diuretic, purifying, toning, and laxative. They are gluten-free and excellent for those following low-calorie diets, but be careful not to overuse them.
A simple and tasty omelette
The omelette with vartis is a simple and quick dish that enhances the delicate taste of this wild plant. The eggs, beaten with Grana Padano and black pepper, blend with the previously boiled and chopped vartis, creating a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Perfect for a rustic dinner or a quick lunch. It can be served alone or accompanied with grilled vegetables or a fresh salad.
With its simplicity and unique taste, the omelette with vartis is a dish that captivates at the first bite. A true homage to the culinary tradition of Piacenza and the richness of the Emilian land.
Here are some other delicious recipes from Piacenza:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring
- Energy 576.41 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 66.74 (g) of which sugars 33.87 (g)
- Proteins 25.55 (g)
- Fat 18.31 (g) of which saturated 8.14 (g)of which unsaturated 6.21 (g)
- Fibers 21.41 (g)
- Sodium 497.87 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 144 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
OMELETTE WITH VARTIS (wild hops)
Calculate two eggs per person.
- 6 Eggs
- 17.6 oz aromatic herbs (vartìs (wild hops))
- 1/2 cup Grana Padano PDO (grated)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Butter
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Tools
- Bowl It is important to cook the omelette over low heat to avoid burning and to achieve even cooking.
- 1 Frying Pan Lagostina Linea Rossa Non-Stick Frying Pan Ø 24 cm, Induction, Gas and Oven Safe, Scratch Resistant, Lagospot Cooking Indicator, Stainless Steel and Aluminum Bottom, Non-Slip Silicone Handle
PREPARATION OF THE OMELETTE WITH VARTI’S (wild hops)
Clean the herbs, wash them several times in plenty of water, then boil them in salted water for about 15 minutes, let them cool, then squeeze them slightly with your hands and chop them not too finely.
Break the eggs into a bowl, beat them lightly, add the Parmesan, a pinch of salt and pepper, beat again lightly and add the chopped herbs. In a frying pan with a thick and flat bottom, melt the butter, then pour it into the previously beaten eggs. Put the pan back on the heat to heat well, then pour the eggs which should firm up over high heat, turn the omelette with a lid and finish cooking for a few more minutes on the other side.
NOTES AND TIPS: Omelette with Vartis (Wild Hops)
The omelette with vartìs sticks to the bottom if the eggs are poured into a pan that is not hot enough.
For a more intense flavor, the tips of the vartis can be blanched for a minute in boiling water, then squeezed well before being sautéed in a pan.
The omelette with vartis can be enriched with other ingredients as desired, such as pancetta, speck, or melting cheese. It is important to cook the omelette over low heat to avoid burning and to achieve even cooking.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What other recipe can be made with vartis?
With this wild herb, you can prepare an excellent risotto.
