Bladder campion ✦

Silène enflé

What it is

The English name and half the Italian dialect ones come from the same game: the calyx inflates like a small balloon and children burst it against the back of a hand. In Romagna the leaves go into risotto and ravioli fillings, where they taste improbably of raw young peas with an almond at the end.

In the kitchen

Use the leaves and soft tips only; the stems go woody at flowering. The pea note is volatile — stir it into a risotto in the last two minutes, off the heat if you can, or it flattens to plain greens.

Goes with

Egg Butter Parmesan Ricotta Arborio rice Olive oil

In season alongside

Fairy ring mushroom Asparagus Cauliflower Celtuce Dungeness crab Earth chestnut

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