Many of you have seen branches with closed orange-colored buds that look like flowers and contain exotic berries inside. But not everyone knows what kind of plant it is and how to use it. This agricultural culture is called "Physalis vulgaris". The plant grows in America, Africa, Mexico, as well as in the Caucasus and in some regions of Russia. Most often used as a decorative element. Some varieties of physalis are used to prepare various dishes as a healthy dietary supplement. In this article you will learn about the types and properties of this amazing plant, how to grow it and what can be prepared from it.
Description
The physalis fruit resembles a small tomato in shape and belongs to nightshade crops. It can have orange, red, yellow or green. The bud of the plant looks like a bell, and its name in Greek means "bubble". Indeed, the petals of the flower, swollen from the inside and growing upward, look like a Chinese paper lantern. Biologists consider physalis a berry. A weighty argument for this statement is the high sugar content in fruits.
By the way, not all varieties of physalis are edible. Vegetable and Peruvian (berry) varieties are suitable for use. For decorative purposes, ordinary physalis is used, since its berries are not suitable for food. They have a bitter aftertaste and, in addition, can be poisonous.
Popular varieties
In the world there are more than a hundred species of this representative of the nightshade genus. Before a person became aware of the beneficial qualities of physalis, he was considered a wild and weed plant. To cultivate and grow berries in our region began at the beginning of the century before last. The most common varieties that do not require complicated care are berry and vegetable crops, as well as some decorative species of shrubs.
Physalis vulgaris
This is a perennial decorative plant species, reaching a height of more than half a meter. The bush has many flowers, "lanterns" of red, yellow or orange. On garden plots and front gardens, it is grown as decoration. The common physalis begins to bloom in late spring, and the berries ripen only by September. This species differs from edible culture in a rather bright and juicy color. It is unpretentious to calcareous soil and resistant to cold climates; therefore, it survives well on the territory of Russia. The most popular physalis is the Franchet variety, from which original compositions for decorating rooms and houses are created.
Sweet fruits
An annual culture that loves warmth and is sensitive to a sharp change in climate - this is Peruvian physalis. During flowering, the bushes are covered with small and sweet fruits that can be eaten right there. Berries of physalis differ in taste and are divided into several varieties:
- marmalade;
- dessert;
- strawberry;
- pineapple.
Peruvian varieties are consumed both fresh and processed. It is dried, jam, jam and marshmallow are prepared, added to baking. Physalis juice is kneaded in sauces for fish and meat dishes.
Variety of Vegetable Physalis
These shrubs are perennial and unpretentious to the composition of the soil. The fruits of these plant species are quite large and contain a lot of useful substances for the body. The taste is not so much fragrant and tasty as that of berry varieties, and nevertheless, jam, jams, sauces, and caviar are also prepared from vegetable physalis. Vegetable fruit can be painted not only in a bright orange color. But green physalis, and yellow, and even purple, can grow. Vegetable plants are more resistant to weather changes and are even ready for small frosts. Few susceptible to disease and immune to various small pests. The most common varieties are Confectioner and Korolek. Mostly used in culinary pastries.
Is the plant useful?
Physalis has all the beneficial properties due to its unique composition, which includes:
- pectins;
- alkaloids;
- glucose;
- acids;
- volatile;
- antioxidants;
- vitamins A, B, C;
- tannins;
- tannin and other elements no less useful to the body.
Having a low calorie index, the fruits are recommended to use during diets. Also, the plant is used in folk medicine as a diuretic, choleretic and anti-inflammatory agent. With it, you can get rid of edema, normalize the kidneys. The use of physalis strengthens the body's immune forces. In addition, pectin, which is part of the berry, improves intestinal motility, solving the problem of constipation.
With diseases of the respiratory system, physalis helps get rid of sputum. Also, its use helps to reduce headaches and joint pain. But people with increased acidity of the stomach and with allergies to the fruits of the plant should abandon their use.
Culture cultivation
Bushes are propagated by seed or seedlings. It depends on the plant variety and the climatic conditions of the area. It is enough to place seeds of a decorative physalis in the soil once. This plant is perennial and propagates independently. For the first sowing, the highest quality seeds should be selected. Before planting, they are placed in a solution with salt and mixed. The material that has surfaced on the surface is eliminated, as this is a sign of its damage. Seeds ready for planting are sanitized and dried.
In order to get a good harvest on time, the cultivation of vegetable physalis should begin with the calculation of the timing of sowing. Seedlings are prepared about 6-7 weeks before placing it in the ground. The culture grows best in a sunny area, bears fruit well and does not lose nutritional properties. Physalis in place of related crops, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant, it is better not to plant - after these vegetables, the soil is usually severely depleted, giving the predecessors all the necessary minerals. As for sowing, due to the unpretentiousness of the crop to weather conditions, seeds can be placed in the soil both in late autumn and early spring. It is recommended to sow densely so that the sprouts are strong.
Recipes
After growing and harvesting, the question arises of what can be prepared from physalis. Consider several popular recipes using this product.
Since physalis is considered a berry, then the dishes are prepared accordingly. For example, jam. To prepare it, you need ripe fruits. They need to be peeled, washed thoroughly and placed in sugar syrup (use half of the required sand for a certain amount of water). The mass should boil for about 5 minutes, then cool for 5-6 hours. After that, put the jam on the fire and add sugar in the same volume. Stir the mass for 10 minutes, then repeat the procedure. At the last stage, the jam needs to be heated again, brought to a boil and boiled for 15 minutes. Fully cooled jam should be placed in prepared containers, distributing evenly berries and syrup. Store the finished meal in a cool place. To make jam (per 1 kg of fruit) you will need the same amount of sugar and half a liter of clean water.
From physalis, you can also make a very delicious pastille. Before cooking, the berries are peeled, washed, blanched and cut into pieces. Then one kilogram of fruit is filled with half a kilogram of granulated sugar and left for 2-3 hours until the juice is released. After that, the mass is boiled for 10 minutes, rubbed through a sieve on a baking sheet and placed in the oven to bake for 20 minutes. Then the baked sheet of berry mass is laid out on parchment paper and dried. The finished pastille can be rolled up and stored in the refrigerator for several months, cutting off several slices as needed.
Physalis can also be used to make stew. In addition to 500 grams of berries, you will need 200 g of carrots and onions, 50 g of celery, 100 ml of vegetable oil. Seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic and laurel, add to taste. Mix all ingredients and fry until cooked. Serve lightly chilled.
Now you all know about physalis: what can be prepared from this fruit, what species are known and how is the plant grown.