Abstract Detail

Conservation Biology

Savo, Valentina [1], Caneva, Giulia [2], Guarrera, Paolo Maria [3].

Food for body and mind: the evolution of the idea related to traditional food in the Tolfa area (Central Italy).

In Europe, the fast changing socio-economic conditions, especially the lack of time and the disconnection between older and younger generations, threaten the persistence of the remained knowledge about wild plants. In industrialized countries there is a considerable rise in expenditure for convenience food, but also a renewed interested for local or traditional food, since it is considered natural and healthy.The landscape of the Tolfa area (central Italy) is characterized by a mosaic of pastures, cultivated land and woodland. The area has been inhabited since the end of the Bronze Age (9th-8th centuries B.C.). The aim of this study, developed in a wider research project, was to asses the amount of wild and cultivated plants used for traditional food preparations and to define the people idea or perception related to them.A total of 45 semi-structured interviews were carried out in the research area between Spring 2010 and Spring 2011. Data on wild plants, traditional food preparations and perception were collected. Wild species used to prepare traditional dishes are about 50: they are consumed raw or cooked, especially to prepare soups (as for example the acquacotta) or as side dishes. Few species are used to prepare alcoholic beverages. Most species are still consumed by inhabitants of the area and the main part of uses is still present, a little percentage of uses is disappearing or already disappeared. Some informants reported the widespread use of traditional food to attract tourists in new food festivals, wild plants are no more famine food, but used as a sort of brand idea.Traditional food is still consumed by local families: generally during Feasts and celebrations but rarely in the everyday life. On the other hand, it is often served in local restaurants and during food festivals, which have been recently created, as a tourist attraction.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University Roma Tre, Environmental Biology , Viale Marconi, 446, Rome, RM, 00146, Italy
2 - University Roma Tre, Environmental Biology Dept, Viale Marconi, 446, Rome, RM, 04014, Italy
3 - Istituto Centrale per la Demoetnoantropologia, Piazza G. Marconi 8, Rome, RM, 00144, Italy

Keywords:
ethnobotany
wild plants
Latium.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Khorassan Ballroom/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PCB007
Abstract ID:870