Gardeners, poorly versed in botany, often sow black root seeds in their area with the hope that there will be no mice. But to their surprise, the mice do not go anywhere. This is explained by the fact that the root is black and black root, the unpleasant smell of which repels rodents, are completely different plants. The first of them is also called: black carrot, sweet root, goatskin and scorzonera.
This plant is very valuable, but it is undeservedly bypassed by our summer residents, gardeners and gardeners. In the old days, it was considered an excellent drug, many were cultivated in personal plots. Now black carrots can be seen in rare cases. All this is unfair, and the plant is worth remembering about it.
Black root: description
Sweet root is a representative of the genus of perennial herbaceous plants. The stem is erect, its height reaches 75 cm, sometimes not more than 25 cm. The branches are thick, sticking out. The base of the stem is covered with green leaves, which in its lower part are slightly pointed, with numerous veins.
The plant blooms in May, it has a yellow, sometimes pink fragrant reed flower. The black root of the scorzoner is cylindrical, rather thick. The pulp is white, with milky juice. The plant is self-pollinated.
Places of distribution
Black carrot grows well on rocky and steppe slopes, limestones. Favorite place of growth is the steppe strip. Homeland is considered Southern Europe, as well as South-West Asia. Scorzonera is cultivated in all countries of Europe, it can be found in Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Residents of the Netherlands, France and some other countries began to grow this plant as a vegetable crop, starting in the late 16th century. In Russia they speak of him only as a wild-growing representative of the flora that grows in the Caucasus. Manufacturers, and especially consumers, know little about him. Many take it as the root of an ebony tree, which is completely untrue. Residents of the United States and Western Europe admire the medicinal and nutritional qualities of the plant.
Black root: useful properties and its composition
The useful properties of this exotic root crop are determined by its various substances, among which it is worth noting:
• micro and macro elements (salts of phosphorus, potassium, etc.);
• B vitamins, as well as C, K, E, PP;
• natural sugar;
• nitrogenous substances;
• glutamine, inulin (about 10%), asparagine.
Biologically active substances are also present, thanks to which the plant has gained great importance in dietary nutrition. Black root is successfully used to treat rheumatic pains, radiculitis, trophic ulcers, snake bites and other serious diseases. Science has proved that the biological composition of this root crop is much higher than all revered ginseng, and its calorie content is quite small and amounts to only 17 kcal per 100 g of root. Silkworm worms are fed with leaves .
Healing properties
Traditional medicine considers the Kozelec very useful and tries in every possible way to use it as an independent tool, and in combination with other medicinal plants. Black root has proven itself in the treatment of atherosclerosis, obesity, vitamin deficiency and anemia. If you often take this product, you can achieve a gradual inhibition of the development of polyarthritis, gout and rheumatism.
In older people, the scorzoner should always be on the menu. So they can no longer face such serious health problems as liver disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and many others. The plant has in its composition the substance asparagine, which positively affects the heart muscle, and also enhances the functioning of the kidneys. It is also considered a natural painkiller.
Cooking Application
In addition to the well-known healing properties, scorzoner is famous for its taste. Root crops are widely used in cooking. They are used to prepare many healthy and at the same time quite tasty dishes. Black root is prepared like cauliflower or asparagus, used as a part of vinaigrettes, as a seasoning for soups and used to prepare tasty sauces for meat. The goat will be very tasty if you fry it in oil, removing the skin before it.
Starting to clean, everything should be done very carefully, as you can dye your hands and clothes. After cleaning the hard part, it must immediately be placed in a bowl of water diluted with vinegar. The black root can be eaten raw, after rubbing it and sprinkling with chopped parsley or other herbs. In this form, it is very tasty and resembles a cabbage stalk.
The season of this useful plant originates in November. On the festive table, you can serve black root with the addition of morel sauce. Duck breast served with root in cheese sauce also looks good. Do not list all dishes. It should be noted that the root crop of the plant is perfectly preserved even in the cold winter, being under the snow. This makes it possible to have delicious dishes on the table all year round for everyone who has such a useful plant on the site.