'Tis the season to wear gloves : Christmas in Tuscany

This plant (Ruscus aculeatus) is known in most of Italy as pungitopo – or mouse-pricker - since it used to be hung from the rafters to protect prosciutti from mice. It is terrifically spikey and no Christmas would be complete without an excursion to pick some in the woods to decorate the house. Holly exists too (known as agrifoglio) but pungitopo is much easier to locate near Montalcino though devilishly difficult to transport and arrange. Since round here Christmas trees are often locally-sourced juniper bushes it makes for a prickly season.