The garden cress it is a vegetable with a slightly spicy flavor, with an important purifying and detoxifying action. Let's find out better.
> 2. Properties and benefits of garden cress
> 3. Calories and nutritional values ​​of garden cress
> 4. Ally of
> 5. Curiosities about garden cress
> 6. A recipe with the garden cress
Description of the plant
The garden cress (Lepidium sativum), belongs to the cruciferous family. It is also called agretto, agrettone and English cress.
It was already known at the time of the ancient Egyptians and we find it also mentioned in writings of the Greek and Roman period. In medieval times it was mainly used as a medicinal plant. In most European countries, however, the use of garden cress became widespread only after the Second World War.
It is an annual plant, usually 30/40 cm tall, with small white flowers and leaves of different shapes depending on the variety. In garden cress, fresh leaves are generally used because, once dried, it loses most of its properties.
Properties and benefits of garden cress
This plant, native to Asia Minor and North Africa, has a very short vegetative period and therefore can also be grown in very confined spaces, for example boxes or not very deep pots.
It mainly boasts purifying and diuretic properties. Helps fight fatigue and a sense of physical weakness. Due to its detoxifying qualities it is often recommended to smokers.
Il garden cress it is a herb generally used to flavor, therefore, the quantity that is taken with the diet is rather limited in order to obtain a real benefit.
Calories and nutritional values ​​of garden cress
100 g of watercress contains 32 kcal.
Furthermore, for 100 g of raw product we have:
- Lipids 0,7 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 14 mg
- Potassium 606 mg
- Glucid 6 g
- Dietary fiber 1,1 g
- Sugar 4,4 g
- 2,6 g protein
- Vitamin A 6.917 IU
- Ascorbic acid 69 mg
- Calcium 81 mg
- Iron 1,3 mg
- Magnesium 38 mg
Garden cress, ally of
Reni.
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Curiosities about garden cress
In ancient Rome it was believed that the garden cress would restore insanity to the mad and therefore, to stamp the fools and cowards, the phrase "eat a bit of agretto" was addressed to them, which had a derogatory meaning and sounded like an invective.
A recipe up your sleeve
Garden cress has a aromatic flavor, which is somewhat reminiscent of mustard and, due to this characteristic, it is often used to give more flavor to fresh cheeses and sauces. It is also used in salads, to flavor fish, to enrich omelettes and quiches or even to garnish dishes. Scandinavians use it a lot together with meats.
The recipe we propose is one ricotta flavored with watercress, chives, dried tomatoes, olives and pepper. It is a very simple preparation, which can be used to make croutons and stuffed sandwiches and is therefore ideal for an aperitif with friends.
Preparation: chop the pitted olives, dried tomatoes, garden cress e chives. Obviously, the quantity depends on the weight of the ricotta to be flavored. Put the ricotta in a bowl with all the ingredients and mix until everything is well incorporated. Use the mixture thus obtained on croutons or to fill small buffet sandwiches. If you use this recipe for an aperitif, you could accompany it with a dry rosé sparkling wine.
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