Scorzonera

Description skortsoner

Scorzonera the Spanish belongs to a species of herbaceous plants from the sort Scorzonera. This plant is also known as the Resident of Kozelsk Spanish, Black carrots and the Black or Sweet root. Thanks to useful properties to a scorzonera cultivate in many countries as root vegetable.

The homeland skortsoner Southwest Asia and Southern Europe is considered. The plant grows on steppe and stony slopes of Europe, and also meets in Georgia and Azerbaijan.

As the vegetable culture to a scorzonera began to be cultivated at the end of XVI – the beginning of the 17th centuries in the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and France. Before it was used as medicine – antidote from viper stings. Because of it in the people to a scorzonera sometimes call "zmeedushnik". At the time of Alexander of Macedon the resident of Kozelsk Spanish gave to an imperial table as a delicacy.

Stalk height skortsoner usually varies from 25 to 70 cm. Blossoms a scorzonera in May not numerous baskets. Fruits – a regional mericarp, ripen at the beginning of summer.

Scorzonera – a two-year plant which in the first year of life forms a cylindrical form a rough root crop of black or dark brown coloring and radical leaves. Root crops, as a rule, collect at the end of September when their weight reaches 100-150 g. As scorzonera treats cold-resistant plants, sometimes root crops leave to winter in the soil.

Pulp of root crops of the resident of Kozelsk of Spanish white and juicy also has high tastes. To a scorzonera call a winter asparagus as in winter time it is more available, and to taste practically does not concede to it in the prepared look.

Structure and useful properties skortsoner

Useful properties skortsoner are caused by biologically active agents which are its part. So, contain in root crops of a plant:

• Saccharites (about 20%);
• Pectinaceous substances (to 2%);
• Vitamins C, B1, B2, E and PP;
• Salts of copper, potassium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, calcium.

However skortsoner carry the high content (about 10%) of inulin, and also the asparagine which is in them and levulin to the main medicinal properties that does this root crop by medicine for patients with diabetes.

The asparagine which is contained in root crops positively influences cardiac performance, and also promotes strengthening of activity of kidneys.

Caloric content skortsoner makes 17 kcal on 100 g of root crops.

Use skortsoner

In traditional medicine to a scorzonera widely use:

• At treatment of heart diseases;
• As anesthetic;
• At digestive tract diseases.

Root crops of the resident of Kozelsk of Spanish are very useful at avitaminosis, obesity, atherosclerosis, an anemia, and also they constrain development of rheumatism, gout and polyarthritis. A scorzonera it is well acquired by an organism and therefore it is often recommended by nutritionists for dietary food. Also this root crop will be useful in a diet of elderly people, at a diabetes mellitus, a hypertension and diseases of a liver.

In cookery to a scorzonera use for preparation of soups, vinaigrettes, salads and second courses.

In the raw root crops skortsoner are not really tasty and remind a cabbage cabbage stump. Before the use crude, they are recommended to be soaked in salty water then to rub on a small grater. A scorzonera it is perfectly combined with other root crops. So, it can be used in the raw for preparation of the salads with carrots filled with lemon juice, vegetable oil or mayonnaise.

Cook to a scorzonera as an asparagus or a cauliflower in the added some salt water then add to soups. Also it can be eaten in the fried and stewed look. The sauces to vegetable and meat dishes made from skortsoner are considered tasty.

Root crops skortsoner are ideal for freezing and conservation as both in that, and in other look they completely keep the nutritious properties. Young leaves of a plant can be used for preparation of salads, and also in a pickles and conservation of cucumbers that gives them a crunch.

Contraindications

Any contraindications for the use of root crops skortsoner except individual intolerance are not revealed.