Celery: what it tastes like, what it looks like and how to use it correctly
Celery is a tasty and healthy vegetable crop, which is appreciated by many adherents of a healthy lifestyle and nutritionists due to its high content of vitamins, microelements and other useful substances. It is used in cooking - when properly combined with other products, it complements and diversifies the daily menu. We will tell you in this article which type of celery is better to choose and how it is useful.
What does celery taste and smell like?
The smell of the vegetable is reminiscent of parsley. Fresh celery leaves can also taste like cilantro. The greens of this vegetable are harsh and slightly bitter. The spicy, spicy taste of celery is due to its high content of essential oils.
What does he look like
In appearance, celery greens are the most reminds me of lovage - another representative of the Umbrella family. Inexperienced housewives may confuse celery and parsley on the store counter. In this situation, it is easier to focus on the aroma: celery has a pronounced aroma, but parsley does not.
What do different types of celery taste like?
Celery happens three types: petiole, leaf and root. The root vegetable produces a large, round-shaped root vegetable that is used for cooking. The leafy one is grown for its greens, while the petiolate one eats the stems and leaves.
Differences between different types of celery:
- Petiole (stem) varieties are distinguished by thick, juicy stems that have a pleasant light taste and aroma.
- Leafy, unlike petiolate, does not have pronounced stems. The main part of the plant is lush, fragrant greenery, which has a tart taste with a slight bitterness and a spicy, characteristic aroma.
- Root vegetables are consumed, which have a bittersweet, slightly pungent taste and rich aroma.
The taste of celery greens is reminiscent of parsley, but more aromatic and with a bitter taste.. The taste of the vegetable petioles is more neutral; after heat treatment it softens. The raw root vegetable is spicy, vaguely similar to a radish. It contains a large amount of essential oils, which makes its taste spicy, bittersweet.
What determines the taste and smell of celery
After drying, the greens of the vegetable lose their pungency and bitterness., the taste becomes slightly sweet. Petioles and root vegetables change during cooking: their taste becomes more neutral, the characteristic smell is lost - it becomes less sharp and pronounced.
Reference. Leaf celery is recommended for consumption by smokers or those who have recently quit this bad habit, as greens remove nicotine from the body.
What does celery taste like when cooked?
After cooking, celery stalks taste like zucchini. Root vegetables are boiled or fried; during heat treatment, their taste becomes less pronounced, similar to potatoes.
Methods of use in cooking
To the list of dishesthat can be prepared from celery include salads, soups, main courses, seasonings, sauces, green smoothies. Greens and petioles are most often consumed fresh: they are used to prepare smoothies, vitamin-rich salads with the addition of fruits and vegetables. Root vegetables are used as a substitute for potatoes; as a side dish for a meat dish, puree is made from boiled potatoes and celery in a 1:1 ratio.
Benefits, composition, properties
The vegetable crop contains vitamins A, B1, B6, B2, B9, C, E, PP, as well as beta-carotene. This vegetable is rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, and essential oils. Thanks to such a rich composition celery has many beneficial properties:
- improves the functioning of the pancreas;
- removes cholesterol from the body;
- strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
- removes waste and toxins;
- low-calorie - can be used as a dietary product;
- removes excess water from the body and relieves swelling.
However there are also contraindications: People suffering from kidney and gastrointestinal diseases should not consume this vegetable in large quantities, as this can lead to aggravation.
How to choose the right one
In order for a vegetable to bring maximum benefits and provide all the vitamins and microelements, it must be fresh. How to choose healthy celery:
- leaves and stems are bright green, without spots or signs of wilting, traces of pests, yellowness, which indicates that the vegetable is stale;
- there are no dark spots on the greenery;
- stems are strong and elastic;
- pleasant smell without any foreign notes.
How to use
Stem celery is eaten raw and after heat treatment.. The root is eaten both boiled and fried, and raw, after washing and peeling. Greens are eaten fresh as an addition to salads or dried and seasoned with soups and main courses in winter.
Important! Root vegetables darken when exposed to air, so after removing the peel, they are sprinkled with lemon juice or dipped in salted water.
Terms and conditions of storage
Store celery stalks and leaves in the refrigerator until they begin to wilt - about 3-4 days, and in the freezer - up to a year at a temperature of -18°C. Root vegetables keep in the refrigerator for up to three weeks or stored in the cellar in boxes with sand - this way the vegetables will last until spring. When storing root vegetables in the cellar, make sure that the room is dry and ventilated, otherwise the root vegetables will quickly rot.
Reviews
We invite you to read reviews from experienced gardeners and housewives about this vegetable.
Tatyana, Omsk: “I often use celery when preparing salads with apples and main courses. Few people know, but this plant contains a huge amount of vitamins, including vitamin C. And it gives a pleasant taste.”.
Alexandra, Moscow region: “I have celery growing in my garden all the time - we eat the greens, the stem, the root. I add it to salads, soups, meat dishes, and also dry it for the winter. The stem one is also good for weight loss.”.
Ekaterina, Velikiye Luki: “Initially I used only dried celery as a seasoning for fish and soups. And then I tried fresh stems. The taste is specific, sweetish. Since then I’ve been adding it to summer salads and main courses – it turns out very flavorful. In addition, it helps with digestive problems and promotes weight loss.".
Conclusion
Celery is a vitamin-rich vegetable, from which you can prepare a separate dish or supplement soups and main courses with its fresh herbs or petioles. By experimenting with different types of celery, you can come up with new recipes and diversify your daily diet.