Crispy, tasty and even with notes salinas Given their origin, the herbs that we present here are quite unknown, although they are gaining prominence in the kitchen. Although his name from minutina lettuce is very little known, this is a herbaceous plant traditionally used as medicine. But it is edible, has interesting properties and can be used as an alternative to the typical green lettuce leaves. Those that are born in the field, in extensive cultivated lands. Something in which this is different vegetable of thin stems, uncultivated and even confused with other flora. Come to know everything about him!
Where does the star grass grow?
The truth is that their appearance is similar to that of the seaweed, seafood increasingly incorporated into the kitchens of large restaurants. However, we want to make it clear to you that the Minutina lettuce does not come from the bottom of the sea nor does it have direct contact with said environment. Belonging to the Plantagináceae family, it grows naturally in uncultivated territories. That is they neither have crops nor work for that purpose. For the most part, those grounds are saline or they drink from the waters of seas and oceans. But it is definitely a plant, not an algae.
In all of our mediterranean region you can find it like a bush of green herbs whose stems are elongated and not very thick. It also makes an appearance in Atlantic areas from Europe to Finland and even reaches Asian countries. Of course, the inhabitants of Australia, New Zealand or North America they have wanted to enjoy it, so they introduced its cultivation once they found out about its existence. Indeed, the minutina lettuce it can be grown, especially near the coast. Hence its use, for example, in Italy be more popular than in other regions of the continent. A rather curious fact.
Its cultivation and growth in basal rosettes
Although you can buy this star grass on some web pages that sell it, such as The Banished Crop, it is possible to acquire seeds her. There are already until ecological so that you can bury them in lands with a certain marine or saline influence. Afterwards, you will only have to pamper it until it grows and its time to harvest arrives. It's a plant annual and perennial, so you can get it throughout the calendar year.
Its growth occurs in the form of rosettes but they do not rise like other plants, but are basal, so they develop in a circular manner at ground level. The greenish stem can reach a height of between 5 and 25 centimeters. Although drinking from the humid terrain, also this herbaceous crop he likes the rays of the sun. Depending on the region in which you decide to grow it, it blooms between February and October, always offering small inflorescences in the shape of a spike.
Dozens of names to recognize it
If you have already found this vegetable very curious, you are even more surprised by the number of names or denominations that it has ingrained from times of yesteryear. Maybe if you ask one of your grandparents, they will recognize the minutina lettuce, but with another word: plantain, plantago, rampete, barballa, corónopo, archicorilla, salgadilla, almorranera grass ... It can even be recognized as the beard of the friars, cobblestone star or deer horn.
Depending on the area in which it is known, it acquires one or another distinctive and it is that in the past this type of lettuce has been used as natural remedy. From the leaves to the seeds themselves enjoy a medicinal tradition to relieve angina, bronchitis, colds or asthma. Likewise, it is attributed properties against conjunctivitis, thus stopping the inflammation of the eyelids. In addition to being a diuretic plant, its term 'almorranero' can give you an idea of another of its benefits: to combat hemorrhoids. This, when frying its leaves in olive oil.
Other contributions of this food are vitamins A, C and K along with iodine, among other nutrients. When it comes to consuming it in your dishes, it should be noted how tender its leaves are before they are gleaned. Are crispy and they provide a pleasant contrast when eaten raw directly. If you prefer, you can cook these star herbs in any way (in stew, sautéed, boiled…) To enjoy its fresh and slightly taste bitter. Very tasty, the minutina lettuce gives you touches of salt water that fit perfectly in salads or other refreshing recipes. Look for it now to try it!
