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erba di San Pietro

rock samphire or balsam herb

Rock Samphire (Crithmum maritimum)

Two entirely different herbs.

In Liguria, it's crithmum maritimum, or rock samphire, better known as finocchio marino or sea fennel. A good garnish for seafood. Along the Riviera del Conero in Le Marche it's called paccasassi, and often served on pasta mixed with ricotta; in the Slow Food Presidium.

Also known as frangisassi.

Tanacetum balsamita

Elsewhere, it's a minty, slightly bitter herb, tanacetum balsamita, also known as balsamita or menta romana. In English, costmary or balsam herb.

Herbs & Spices

Le Marche

Liguria

Slow Food

Text © Dana Facaros & Michael Pauls

Images by Finitor, Creative Commons License, Phil Sellens