Walking around the 4th century BC Byzantine ruins at Amathounda this morning in South Eastern Cyprus, I was struck by the utterly gorgeous thistles thriving in what is otherwise a seemingly hot, dry and rather barren landscape. My 20-years-living-here friend didn't know the name of it, beyond "local thistle" and so I made a point of identifying and reading further when we got back into the cool of her home later.
After a wonderfully informative lookey-see online, I determined that it is one of only two native thistles to Cyprus: Onopurdom Cyprium, the Cypriot Donkey Thistle. The local name in the Cypriot language apparently means donkey fart. 😜 And yes, they are common food for the many wild donkeys found wandering in particularly the occupied and eastern parts of Cyprus.
Is it edible? herbaceous and healing? Oh yes.
A deep study of the edible plants of Cyprus puts Donkey Thistle as one of 4 plants commonly used in the region around Larnaca-Limassol for Horta.
What is Horta?
"Horta" literally means "greens" in Cypriot, and it's a assortment of wild and seasonal greens which are broiled, boiled or steamed and then served with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh, local lemon. YUM!!
Like the much-better-known milk Thistle, the seeds of the Donkey Thistle are edible and also contain many natural phyto-chemicals which help restore and protect the liver. How to prepare? The seeds are collected and then lightly toasted and sprinkled over food, or they are ground and used as medicine.
So apart from collecting and consuming the seeds, how to navigate the thorns?
The best part of the plant for eating is the rosette of greens that form at the base of the plant. Pick them carefully, and wash them well. The bigger leaves at the base of the stems are easy to pick too. The fibrous stalks are best left alone 😁 and it's probably fair to say that if you're foraging or seeking to consume the greens, best to simply look for small and young plants.
Love learning about the healing plants, wherever I go!!
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A true Herbie gets excited about local plants on holiday. I have heard of horta. Funny how much of what you write is so familiar to me, like I've been there in travels through history and literature and general reading although not in person!!
You are an old soul, my dear, and no doubt have sojourned here in many a lifetime. I LOVE horta and we often have lightly steamed mustard greens at home in Thailand. I am resolved to splurge on Olive Oil after our culinary journey here - I realize how nourishing it is, despite costing a bomb in TH.
And yup - I AM curious about the herbal and culinary-healing traditions. Always.
I do believe in ancestral memory, as it explains my strong familiarity, but then, I've travelled some and read much, so who knows.
I cant believe you are there, and you sound so stress free! So happy you are having a much deserved break.
Mmmm... Good olive oil!!! I have a hankering now .... And for the cheese...haha. I'm not sure they'll let you bring ANY back!! Don't you love travelling and eating local food and thinking how you could replicate it at home...
And sorry if I take a while to get to these, you know how it is, hard to keep up sometimes...
No requirement to "keep up". Grateful to have one appreciative reader, and it gave me pleasure to simply write and research it. x
Just wanted you to know you are valued and read xxx 💚💚🌱🌱💚
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Interesting healing plant. Love the presentation. Thanks for sharing.