The Salicornia is a succulent plant that grows wild along our coasts. Although very common, its food consumption is not particularly widespread.Yet glasswort, also known as sea asparagus , is very tasty and tasty and its consumption is indicated in the summer months to supply the body with water and mineral salts.
Characteristics of Salicornia and how to recognize it
The Salicornia ( Salicornia europaea ) is an annual plant that belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae , the same as quinoa, spinach and beets.
The Salicornia plants grow forming glasswort, namely agglomerates of small high bushes at most 40 centimeters. The sea asparagus has erect, fleshy and branched stems on which grow leaves that resemble small succulent flakes.
The whole plant is a beautiful light and bright green, but during flowering the stems take on reddish shades that bring out the small green flowers that develop at the axil of the leaves at the end of summer.
Glasswort is a fairly common succulent plant in the wild in the Mediterranean areas and can be found above all on arid soils along the coasts and in saline soils as it is part of the halophytic plants , that is plants that thrive in the presence of high concentrations of salt.
Properties and use of Salicornia in the kitchen
The stalks of the glasswort are very rarely found on the market, but they can be collected during walks by the sea and eaten like a normal vegetable .
The collection should take place as far away from polluted areas and, before you cook samphire , it is good to leave the stems to soak for a day to get rid of the salt.
The sea asparagus can be eaten after blanching it for a few minutes in strictly unsalted water and seasoned with a little oil and lemon juice.
In addition to being eaten as a side dish , glasswort can be used to prepare omelettes or added to salads, soups, broths and first courses.
The stalks of the glasswort have a fleshy consistency and a sour and slightly bitter taste and even after soaking they remain sapid.
It is also possible to dry the stems after having collected and washed them and finely grind them when they have lost most of the water: the powder obtained can be sprinkled on the dishes to flavor them.
The stems and leaves of the glasswort are rich in water, fiber, vitamin C, beta-carotene and mineral salts, in particular sodium, potassium, calcium and iodine .
The food consumption of sea asparagus is therefore recommended during the summer months, when due to high temperatures, liquids and mineral salts are lost through abundant sweating. Including salicornia in the diet is also useful for hypothyroid subjects , thanks to the abundance of iodine. Moreover,
thanks to the fiber content , the consumption of glasswort helps to regulate intestinal transit.
Better not to abuse glasswort if you suffer from high blood pressure or water retention .