Wild Mugnuli from Puglia: a rare green for professional kitchens
Mugnuli Selvatici di Campo by Spirito Contadino are wild Apulian broccoli sprouts (Brassica), close to broccoli rabe (cima di rapa) but milder and sweeter. IQF-frozen in a 1 kg pack (case of 4 x 1 kg), they are ready to use, waste-free and harvested from December to February in the open fields of Borgo Tressanti, Cerignola (Foggia). A Traditional Agri-Food Product (PAT) of Puglia for chefs who want authentic regional greens all year round.
What mugnuli are
Mugnuli (also mugnoli) are a rare spontaneous brassica, botanically a broccoli relative that some authors consider the wild ancestor of cultivated broccoli. They show small, loose white flower heads with tender stem and leaves, all edible. The taste recalls broccoli rabe but is less bitter and more delicate. They are documented in Apulian peasant tradition since 1914 and recognised by the Puglia region among Traditional Agri-Food Products (PAT).
Real geographic origin
This product is grown in Puglia (Apulia), in Borgo Tressanti, in the municipality of Cerignola, province of Foggia. It is not a generic Italian vegetable: it is a heritage variety tied to the Apulian territory, traditionally cultivated in the Salento and Foggia areas.
The producer: Spirito Contadino De Palma
Società Agricola Spirito Contadino De Palma cultivates over 70 hectares in Puglia and grows mugnuli exclusively on its own fields. The farm works the soil with ancient natural methods: aged manure and green manure of legumes, grasses and crucifers that naturally enrich the land. The plant is IFS Food certified, the international food-safety standard. Vegetables are frozen with IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) technology right after harvest.
Sensory profile
Bright green colour, firm bite, delicate and slightly sweet flavour with a faint bitter note typical of brassicas. Because they are individually quick frozen, the sprouts stay loose and do not clump, so the kitchen can portion exactly the amount needed at a time.
Technical specifications
Single pack 1 kg, case 4 x 1 kg (4 kg). Deep-frozen vegetable, store at -18 °C. Once thawed do not refreeze; use within 24 hours of thawing. Ready to use, no cleaning or trimming required. Producer code N34. The vegetable naturally provides vitamins A, B1, B2 and C and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and sodium.
Professional uses
Sauté from frozen in a cold pan with 20 ml of water per layer of vegetables, cover and cook over moderate heat for 3 minutes, then remove the lid and cook for another 2 minutes; finish with garlic, extra virgin olive oil and chilli. Classic Apulian pairing with orecchiette: toss with anchovy, garlic and chilli for a quick orecchiette ai mugnuli. Excellent in rustic soups and minestre, with cannellini or chickpeas, as a side for grilled meat and sausage, or as a pizza and focaccia topping. Dose: about 150-200 g per person as a side, 80-100 g per portion as a pasta condiment.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not thaw them in water before cooking: they lose structure and flavour, cook them straight from frozen. Do not overcook: 5 minutes total is enough to keep colour and bite. Do not confuse them with broccoli rabe: mugnuli are milder, so reduce the chilli and salt accordingly.
Pairings
Garlic, extra virgin olive oil and chilli; anchovy and breadcrumbs; orecchiette and fresh pasta; cannellini beans and chickpeas; Apulian sausage; pecorino and ricotta forte.
Delivery and logistics
B2B and B2C frozen delivery throughout Switzerland from the LAPA warehouse in Embrach (Zurich). Cold chain at -18 °C guaranteed by the LAPA fleet across Zurich, Winterthur, Dübendorf, Aargau, St. Gallen, Lucerne and Bern. For Ticino (Lugano, Bellinzona, Locarno), French-speaking Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey, Sion), Valais and mountain regions (Davos, St. Moritz, Chur) delivery within 24-48 hours via certified food-grade couriers (Swiss Post Frigo-Express, Planzer, Galliker, Camion Transport) with isothermal packaging and dry ice. Service tailored for restaurants, pizzerias, trattorias, hotels, delicatessens, Italian grocery stores and private customers passionate about Italian cuisine.
Who it is for
Designed for chefs and professional kitchens looking for an authentic, ready-to-use Apulian vegetable with consistent quality all year, and for Italian families in Switzerland who want the genuine taste of Puglia.
