La Paparina (Salentine)

This poppy, in the Salento, though glorious in flower, is a pest, invading cultivated ground, especially where broad beans, peas, chickpeas are grown. It is easy to gather, while hoeing, before the flower heads appear. Pull the plants out with a twist of the wrist, pick them over, pinch off most of the root, and throw them into a vat of rain-water. Drain, change the water, and leave them to soak for a few hours.