Watercress, or well
Nasturtium officinale fg
Watercress, or zheruha medicinal, is a perennial plant that is cultivated in the middle belt as an annual one.
As a vegetable plant it was cultivated and used by the ancient Romans.
Description: stems creeping, reach a height of 30-90 cm. On the branched stalk there are pairwise green oval leaves, at the end of the stem there is one leaf. The length of leaves is 10-20 mm, width - 6-10 mm. The petals of the corolla are 3.5-5 mm in length. Flowers are white, collected in semi-zoogrophs. Fruit in the form of pods 2 cm in length.
Ingredients: it has a high content of vitamins C, B2,null, A and E, contains also a mustard glycoside. Its value is increased due to the large content of mineral substances, especially iron and iodine. The dietary properties of watercress are associated with a high content of vitamins and minerals in a naturally balanced amount.
Cultivation: grows along the banks of watercourses, even in shallow water, at springs, in ditches with clean water and, less often, in clean standing water. To grow cress in the garden area, it is necessary to create a surface flowing moistening of the soil. Usually in areas with a warm climate, watercress is cultivated in ditches filled with running water, but it can be successfully grown on moist soil in open ground, in greenhouses and in greenhouses.
Well cress grows well in small artificial pools or grooves filled with water. Overflowing water from the watering tank or to collect rainwater moistens the plants. Excess water is diverted from the reservoir with a chair and leaves for stony drainage:
In the middle zone watercress is grown in the spring-summer period in garden beds as an annual plant. The beds are prepared on slightly shaded areas. To obtain seedlings, the seeds are sown early in spring - in late March - early April in the greenhouse. In the soil, seedlings are planted in early May, as soon as the soil is ready for processing. The distance between the plants in a row is 15-20 cm, between rows - 20-30 cm. The ridges are abundant and regularly watered. To better bite the top of the plant pinch. When the flower shoots appear, they are cut off. This method contributes to the better formation of young shoots and leaves.
The most famous and tested varieties of watercress are Wide-leaved, Portuguese and Improved.
The watercress greens can be grown in the room. Watercress easily propagates cuttings. To do this, from the beds with strong developed plants separate shoots and root them in the water. Root formation occurs in 7-10 days. After that, the plants are planted in pots with good soil soil. In a vessel with a diameter of about 20 cm, 3-4 plants are placed. Instead of cuttings, you can plant seedlings, obtained from seeds. Watercress is a fairly thermophilic plant, but in the ground it can withstand frost to 0 ° C.
Medicinal properties: in folk medicine is used for nerve diseases and fever. Cress cleanses the blood, improves metabolism, has a diuretic effect. It is recommended for chronic skin rashes, anemia, itchy skin eczema, inflammation of the oral mucosa.
Omelette with water chair
For 1 serving of - 2 eggs, 1 onion with green leaves, 3 tbsp.l.watercress, 2 tbsp.l.grated cheese, butter
Beat the egg with finely chopped green onions, water chair with a pinch of black pepper, salt and grated cheese. Omelet fry on both sides. The dish should be decorated with a cress of cress and served with potatoes.
Application: the watercress leaves are used only fresh. The taste of the watercress is somewhat bitter and tart, reminiscent of the taste and aroma of horseradish and radish.
Green shoots are used for salads, meat dishes, add to the cottage cheese and sandwich masses. Water cress is recommended to be consumed during a healthy dietary diet with avitaminosis and for blood purification.