Nasturtium In Cooking

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Nasturtium is grown by many, but not all use it in their diet. But this is a popular product in dietetics, medical nutrition. Experts say that nasturtium promotes rejuvenation, normalization of weight and slows down the aging process. Dishes from this plant are highly valued by gourmets. Let's tell you more about the properties, composition and the most popular recipes

Useful properties of nasturtium

Stems, buds, leaves are saturated with alkaloids, phytoncides, vitamins, among which carotene is in the lead. In terms of the concentration of vitamin C, they exceed leaf lettuce by 10 times, black currant by 2. There is a spectrum of useful acids: linoleic, erucic, linolenic, palmitic, oleic, steoric. As well as natural antibiotics, gluconasturin, salonin. The seeds contain 23-25% essential oils. It is useful for those who are losing weight to know the calorie content: 100 g of leaves - 12 kcal, fresh seeds - 22 kcal.

Including nasturtium in the diet, it is possible to improve blood composition, increase immunity, strengthen the cardiovascular system, neutralize pathogenic flora and the progression of pathogenic microbes. The use of nasturtium seeds helps to overcome the symptoms of menopause, eliminate inflammation of the lymph nodes, enhance venous circulation, and obtain bile and diuretic effects.

Studies show that regular consumption of nasturtium prevents the development of atherosclerosis, increases blood flow, and tones the coronary arteries. For those wishing to lose weight, nasturtium is useful as a product for normalizing metabolism, and as a digestion accelerator.

Nasturtium for nutrition

Culinary experts call nasturtium colored seasoning, capuchin or Indian salad. The buds and succulent leaves are reminiscent of watercress, have a spicy aroma and add a sophisticated piquancy to the dishes. Seeds in dried form have a certain speck, they are ground and used as black pepper.

For cooking, nut seeds are used fresh, the best qualities are green ones, taken immediately after the petals wilt. Brown and yellow are good for drying; in dishes they become dryish-harsh. Petioles of leaves are especially appreciated.

Stems, flowers and leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season (May-October). Seeds - as they ripen (July-September).

How nasturtium is prepared

There is an extensive range of fruit and leaf dishes. These are sauces, seasonings, gravies used for fish and meat. Seeds and vegetable parts are added to cold snacks, marinades, side dishes, hodgepodge, soups, vegetable stews. The best combinations with cardamom, coriander, oregano, bergamot, allspice. Pickled fruits are considered an exquisite delicacy.

In dietary nutrition, nasturtium is consumed without heat treatment or in a slightly boiled form. Combine with cucumbers, green peas, garlic, eggs, radishes, green onions, spicy herbs. For dressing, balsamic vinegar, vegetable oil, lemon juice, mustard are used.

Nasturtium recipes

Nasturtium seed capers

Freshly picked green fruits are blanched in salted water (yellow and white are not used). Then they are stacked in jars and poured with marinade: 0.5 water + 2 tbsp. l. vinegar + tbsp. l. salt. In the filling brine, they must also put Art. a spoonful of sugar. Marinated spices: cloves, lavrushka, allspice - all in the usual proportions. You can not sterilize, but wrap up until completely cooled. It is used as an independent snack, combined in salads with meat, mushrooms, vegetables. An ideal product for fish hodgepodge.

Nasturtium leaf and flower salads

one. Radish, cut into slices or slices, mixed with chopped flowers and shoots (70:20 g), seasoned with vegetable oil with mustard, or mayonnaise.

2. Two medium cucumbers will use 10 nasturtium leaves, a boiled egg, and green onion feathers. Everything is cut and flavored with mayonnaise.

3. It will take 2 tbsp. l. crushed or ground nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews), one tomato, a handful of chopped stems and inflorescences. The nasturtium greens are mixed with the nut mass and seasoned with a mixture of grated tomato, honey and vegetable oil. The proportions taste.

Garlic seasoning

Red currants, nasturtium greens, garlic are passed through a meat grinder / blender. Vegetable oil is added to the resulting mass, salted and put into the refrigerator.

Horseradish and nasturtium drink

Horseradish (20 g) is chopped in a meat grinder / grater, chopped nasturtium leaves (50 g) are added. This mass is diluted with a liter of water + sugar (80 g) and left for 12 hours. Next, filter through cheesecloth / sieve. The drink tones up well and is consumed chilled.

Eggs stuffed with nasturtium seeds

For the filling, you need 60 g of boiled beets, the same amount of capers (pickled fruits), 20 g of butter, 80 g of green peas (canned food). All ingredients are crushed with a blender, the resulting mixture is filled with halves of eggs.