Mixedpickles In The Bays Of Sardinia 06 2021 〈PRO - 2025〉
By Marco Sanna | Nautical & Travel Editor
One participant, a chef from Barcelona, held a floating tasting session: “Pickles & Vermentino,” pairing Sardinia’s crisp white wine with sour, crunchy vegetables. The verdict? A surprisingly perfect match. The archipelago’s Piscina Naturale (Natural Pool) near the island of Spargi became the epicenter of the rally. With water so clear that boats seemed to float in mid-air, sailors took turns diving from bowsprits into the 22°C (72°F) June sea. The “MixedPickles” spirit shone here: classic yachts anchored next to a solar-powered trimaran, while a traditional Sardinian gozzo boat sold pickled olives and sun-dried tomatoes from a floating wooden stall. June 21 – Summer Solstice Feast in the Bay of Cannigione On the longest day of the year, the entire fleet gathered in the crescent-shaped Bay of Cannigione. A long table was floated on paddleboards and dinghies, laden with—you guessed it—mixed pickles. But also: roasted suckling pig ( porceddu ), pane carasau (crispy Sardinian flatbread), and pickled myrtle berries. After sunset, a sailor played an accordion, and someone hung a jar of pickled eggs from a mast, christening it the “Solstice Lantern.” The Culinary Connection: Why Pickles Belong on a Boat Sardinian sailors have always relied on preserved foods for long journeys. S’apprettu (mixed vegetables preserved in vinegar and oil) is a traditional home preserve found in farmhouses across the Barbagia region. The “MixedPickles” rally of June 2021 revived this forgotten custom, turning it into a fun, shareable maritime tradition. mixedpickles in the bays of sardinia 06 2021
There are some keywords that sound like a secret password whispered among sailing enthusiasts, gourmet explorers, and summer wanderers. “MixedPickles in the Bays of Sardinia 06 2021” is one of them. It evokes a specific moment in time—the luminous, post-lockdown summer of 2021—when the Mediterranean island of Sardinia opened its turquoise embrace to a unique blend of flavors, cultures, and maritime adventures. By Marco Sanna | Nautical & Travel Editor
Every boat brought its own “pickle passport,” collecting stamps (actually, small stickers of cucumbers, onions, and carrots) from other boats. By the end of the week, some participants had tasted over 30 varieties of pickled produce—from sweet-and-sour Sicilian onions to spicy Indian mango pickle brought by a crew from Mumbai. The 2021 “MixedPickles” expedition was also notable for its environmental commitment. The organizers enforced a strict “zero plastic, zero trace” policy. Pickle jars were reused as containers for leftovers and shells collected from beaches. A daily “brine exchange” (rinsing dishes with seawater and biodegradable soap) kept the bays pristine. The archipelago’s Piscina Naturale (Natural Pool) near the
But what exactly are “MixedPickles” in this context? Is it a flotilla of quirky sailboats? A floating food festival? Or a metaphor for the eclectic mix of experiences one can find in Sardinia’s crystalline waters?
Did you take part in the MixedPickles 2021 rally or have a similar Sardinian adventure? Share your story in the comments below.
In June 2021, a group of international sailors and food lovers organized a loosely-knit rally called which took its name from both the culinary tradition and the joyful chaos of boats bobbing side by side. The destination? The unparalleled bays of Sardinia. Why Sardinia? The Island of a Hundred Bays Sardinia is not just Italy’s second-largest island; it is a geological masterpiece. Its coastline stretches for over 1,800 kilometers, riddled with granite cliffs, underwater caves, and sandy bottoms that shimmer in shades of emerald and sapphire. In June 2021, travel restrictions were easing across Europe, and Sardinia became a beacon for responsible, nature-focused tourism.