How to cook with salsify

Good Food Blog

What is RSS?

Posted at 12:02PM, 13 December 2010 by Carol Wilson - Food writer

In my local supermarket I overheard two women peering at something in the vegetable aisle. 'What's that bundle of old sticks?', asked one. Her friend shook her head and they walked on. Curious, I took a look at the object in question. It was salsify!

Few people know what it is, let alone what to do with it!

A popular winter vegetable with the Victorians, it seems to have fallen out of favour completely. Few people know what it is, let alone what to do with it!

Granted, it doesn't look very appealing, but I bought some (the girl on the checkout asked me what it was too!) to try on friends. Opinion was divided; not everyone liked the taste, which faintly resembles that of oyster. In fact it's sometimes called the vegetable oyster or oyster plant.

A member of the sunflower family, the root, leaves and purple flowers of the plant can all be eaten. Don't be put off by the appearance. The root is similar to a long thin (very dirty!) parsnip, but underneath, the flesh is pearly white. I think it's very tasty - the flavour is best described as a cross between artichoke and celeriac .

What to do with it? Well it's easy to prepare and cook. Cut off the root end and peel off the outer skin and coating. Put freshly peeled salsify into a solution of water and lemon juice to stop it browning. It can be cubed and added to soups and stews; I boiled my salsify and mashed it like parsnips, with a little cream, butter, salt and pepper. Some chefs cook the vegetable in a mixture of milk and water for a richer flavour. Don't overcook it though or you could end up with a stringy mush. Salsify can also be roasted with a drizzle of oil and perhaps some chopped herbs and garlic. Jane Grigson's Vegetable Book also has a very good recipe for salsify fritters.

I think it's a shame that this tasty winter vegetable is so underused. I've never even come across it in restaurants. If you've tried it, let us know what you think. Any great ideas for salsify recipes?

Comments

Anneli

13 December 2010, 6:09PM
Anneli

I was inspired to try this root after it featured on a Masterchef Professionals episode and then was also in the Guardian Weekend (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/16/mushrooms-salsify-barley-recipe-ottolenghi). Ottolenghi's recipe is the only one I've used and its quite delicious. Its hard to find salsify though - its not in my local supermarkets so I have to go to Borough Market to get it. I'd like to try it in other things, but seems expensive for what you get...

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Manisha

16 December 2010, 11:35AM
Manisha

test

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
foodie lover

17 December 2010, 1:35PM
foodie lover

Hi - nothing to do with salsify - but why has Hunters Chicken been bastardised by pub chains to become a monstrosity of Chicken covered with Cheese and BBQ Sauce? Shd be basically Tomato sauce surely - cf Chasseur and Cacciatore - French and Italian For Hunter repectively.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Rosycheeks

17 December 2010, 9:08PM
Rosycheeks

I've tried salsify for the first time this week, at The Sanctuary Restaurant in Taunton, Somerset. The vegetarian option on the Christmas menu was pumpkin orzotte, with salsify, feta, wild mushrooms and oregano oil. I liked it, but the pasta was a little lacking in flavour, even though the constituent ingredients were nice. I think the salsify had been roasted, and it had a nice texture. I am going to look at the recipe suggested on the Guardian website (great for the new vegetarian series) and try to get some salsify soon.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
smitty

20 December 2010, 4:40PM
smitty

Can anyone tell me where I can buy this?

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason: