Jerusalem artichoke - what kind of animal is it and with what is it eaten? The legendary plant, so beloved by the American Indians and has come down to our tables. Of course, Jerusalem artichoke is not a beast at all. It's a root vegetable! Healthy, hearty and incredibly tasty.
A bit of history
In Europe, Jerusalem artichoke became widespread in the 17th century, and reached Russia a century later. The American Indians were the first to pay close attention to him. They noticed that the root crop satisfies hunger well, while being completely unpretentious in care.
In Russia, the overseas guest somehow immediately fell in love with everyone. It was fried, baked, boiled - whatever was done with it. And everywhere it manifested itself in different ways. If you fry an earthen pear, then it will taste like cabbage, and if boiled, it will be suitable for potatoes. In past centuries, Jerusalem artichoke could even compete with potatoes for the title of leader. He made him a worthy competitor and strove to force him out of the table. But in the end, both vegetables settled tightly in our area.
"Earthen pear", as it was christened in Russia, is very fond of all adherents of a healthy lifestyle. The product is considered dietary. Due to its rich mineral composition, it perfectly saturates the body with vitamins and helps fight extra pounds. Therefore, they are very fond of using it in various diets. Jerusalem artichoke is a storehouse of iron and potassium. People who know firsthand about anemia can eat it daily. And what wonderful salads are obtained from it. Just a lovely sight! If you have been friends with this amazing vegetable for a long time, then you can diversify your collection with new recipes. If you are just starting to get to know him, then - a successful experiment!
Healthy health salad
So, the first salad is called "good health". They called him that for a reason. It contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals that are so necessary in the cold season. The value of such a salad is difficult to overestimate. If it's rainy autumn outside the window and you feel that there is not enough energy for anything, go to the kitchen to prepare a vitamin bomb. To prepare it, you will need the following set of products:
- 200 g Jerusalem artichoke;
- one large carrot;
- one bull's eye;
- 5 pieces of walnuts;
- two tablespoons of refined oil;
- a teaspoon of sugar;
- half a teaspoon of salt;
- half a lemon.
Prepare all products for further manipulations: peel the carrots, remove the skin from Jerusalem artichoke and apple. Break the nuts into small pieces or crush them with a mortar. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon onto a saucer and set it aside for now. Rub the vegetables on a coarse grater. Take a beautiful salad bowl and mix all the ingredients in it. Add lemon juice and vegetable oil, salt and sugar to taste. Done! A simple homemade vitamin salad is ready. Invite everyone to the table!
Hearty salad with cheese
The next recipe is slightly different from the previous one. The dish will turn out to be more satisfying. And his calorie content will be much higher. Suitable for lunch rather than a light snack. Jerusalem artichoke will give this salad its extraordinary charm and charm. You will need:
- 200 g Jerusalem artichoke;
- tofu cheese or any other;
- 2 fresh cucumbers;
- 3 eggs;
- 2 tablespoons of sour cream;
- 100 g of soy mayonnaise;
- a bunch of dill for decoration.
Cut fresh cucumbers with cheese into cubes. Divide the eggs into pieces, and grate the Jerusalem artichoke on a coarse grater. It was the turn of the sauce. Combine soy sauce with sour cream. Take a nice deep bowl, mix all the ingredients in it and add the sauce, and chop the dill on top. Done! The salad will turn out to be very rich and fantastically tasty. Try not to swallow the spoon!
Pumpkin dessert
The next treat is dedicated to all those with a sweet tooth. If you do not like sweets, this salad will definitely suit your taste. Rather, it looks even more like a dessert. May be a great alternative to cakes, chocolate and biscuits. The salad will taste delicious and spicy. To prepare a culinary miracle, take the following food set:
- 300 g of earthen pear;
- 2 apples;
- a quarter pumpkin, about 200 g;
- a glass of walnuts;
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons of liquid honey, preferably May;
- 2 tablespoons of sesame and sunflower seeds.
If you have a grater designed for Korean carrots, then that's great. Rub pumpkin on it. The pieces will then look like a wire rack, and the look of the salad will be very cute and pretty. But if there is no special grater, then any will do. Cut the apples into thin slices, and divide the Jerusalem artichoke into small pieces. Now combine fruits and vegetables in one bowl.
The only thing left to do is to make a refueling. Divide the walnut into quarters, mix together with sesame seeds and seeds and fry everything a little in a pan, literally for 5 minutes. And without waiting for the mixture to cool, pour honey into it. Let the resulting substance stand for a while, and then add it to vegetables and fruits. Stir everything well and invite your household to enjoy a delicious dessert! Such a simple treat will surely delight children and will be a good addition to any holiday.
Chicken salad with Jerusalem artichoke
Another improvisation on the theme of Jerusalem artichoke assumes the presence of chicken in its composition. If you want not just a snack, but a hearty lunch, you can turn to this salad for help. It will not take much time, while it will turn out to be satisfying and dense. To prepare it, take out of the refrigerator:
- 300 g of chicken meat (if you are very hungry, then you can have a little more)
- 100 g of any hard cheese;
- 3-4 Jerusalem artichoke tubers;
- 10 pieces of cherry tomatoes;
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- lettuce leaves for decoration.
Start by boiling the chicken. Cool and cut into pieces. The next step is to move on to vegetables. Divide the cherry into quarters. Divide Jerusalem artichokes into small pieces that look like sticks. Grate the cheese on a medium-sized grater. Mix everything in a deep plate, season with oil, and top with torn pieces of lettuce. You can lay out on plates and indulge in gastronomic delight. The salad is suitable for both everyday dinners and holidays.
Exotic salad
And for an encore. Another interesting recipe that can surprise the most fastidious gourmet. But despite its uncommonness, you don't have to travel far away to prepare. All products can be found freely available in hypermarkets. The salad is perfect for all residents of megalopolises, because it contains iodine. It is this element that the townspeople really lack. If you now live in a million-plus city, where the ecology leaves much to be desired, then feel free to include a culinary miracle in your daily diet. So, to prepare an exotic treat, you will need:
- earthen pear - 300 g;
- 1 daikon;
- 1 carrot;
- 3 tablespoons corn oil
- 3 tablespoons dried seaweed or kelp.
The cooking procedure is very simple and does not require much time. Grate all vegetables on a coarse grater. Put the Jerusalem artichoke in a separate saucer, sprinkle with a little oil. This way you will be able to preserve its whiteness. Next, send the carrots and daikon to the company to Jerusalem artichoke, pour in the remaining oil and mix everything well. Sprinkle with dried seaweed on top. That's all! You can start tasting the culinary masterpiece. Or call someone close and share the joy with him.
This is just a small selection of all kinds of Jerusalem artichoke salads. There are quite a few options on the topic of their execution. Take on board any you like and cook with pleasure! And always be healthy, cheerful and energetic!
