Have just read in the Repubblica newspaper that Venice has been invaded by a new seaweed - apparently its come from China and is extremely invasive. They say it probably came via France by way of large ships that unload 'bilge water' (I think thats roughly how it translates ). It is wiping out all other seaweeds and grows to really large dimensions. Theres a photo of a pontoon and you can see this large brownish mass under the water. In China, Japan and Korea they eat it - so you never know - next time you visit Venice you just might find gnocchi alla seaweed on the menu ;)
Karen
Category
General chat about Italy
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/25/2006 - 10:13
When we were in Venice in April, we noticed that a lot of the pizzerie were owned by the Chinese. Having blown a sizeable sum on aperitifs at Florian, we decided economise on the food part. We found a pizza place which turned out to be run by a Chinese family and it served up perfectly fine Pizza for about €6 each.
Of course, the first wave of Chinese imports came with Marco Polo, who brought back silk and noodles (later to be known as pasta) Come to think of it, maybe the seaweed spores travelled back on his boots and it just took a bit of global warming to kick-start them.
When we were in Venice in April, we noticed that a lot of the pizzerie were owned by the Chinese. Having blown a sizeable sum on aperitifs at Florian, we decided economise on the food part. We found a pizza place which turned out to be run by a Chinese family and it served up perfectly fine Pizza for about €6 each.
Of course, the first wave of Chinese imports came with Marco Polo, who brought back silk and noodles (later to be known as pasta) Come to think of it, maybe the seaweed spores travelled back on his boots and it just took a bit of global warming to kick-start them.