Happy Halloween! If you are still looking for a healthy addition to your Halloween menu, here is one - a simple raw salsify salad.
Salsify is in season now and I was lucky to get some from my farmers market today. I am aware that you might not be able to get it where you live. You can still make this salad using a parsley root or a parsnip. If you can find finger limes, use them! If you cannot find any in your grocery store, use lime supremes or sliced Key limes. The taste will be different, but you will still be able to enjoy something healthy tonight.
Ingredients:
- 1-2 black salsify roots per person
- freshly pressed juice of 1/2 lemon, use more as needed
- freshly pressed juice of 1 lime, use more as needed
- 2-3 Tbsp virgin olive oil, add more as needed
- pinch Celtic sea salt
- pinch freshly ground black pepper, optional
- 2-3 finger limes plus one extra for garnish, per person
- purple cabbage microgreens, the very tops only
Method:
- Pour the freshly pressed lemon and lime juice into a large bowl. Set aside.
- Thoroughly wash the salsify roots. Using a vegetable peeler, peel one root. Rinse it in cold water and shave it with a clean vegetable peeler into long strips straight into a bowl with the citrus juice. Mix the shavings with the juice. This will prevent salsify from turning brown. Continue with all the other roots in the same manner. If you are making a really large amount, add more lemon and lime juice as needed.
- Add virgin olive oil and salt into the shaved salsify and mix well to coat the shavings well. Depending on the amount of salsify used you might need to add more olive oil. Add black pepper, if using and adjust the taste to your personal liking.
- Cut open the finger limes and squeeze the fruit flesh into the bowl with salsify. Gently mix everything together. Add the purple microgreens and mix again.
- Using a two-pronged chef's fork, portion out the salad. Cut open the finger lime. Squeeze a little fruit flesh and use the whole fruit as a spooky garnish. Serve right away and enjoy in good company!
I made this salad specially for Halloween. The finger limes were my primary inspiration. They are very tasty but kind of creepy looking. Perfect for Halloween. The salad is very simple but incredibly tasty. It can be made anytime you are able to get the ingredients, Halloween or not.
Salsify is a root vegetable that originated in the Mediterranean region. It comes with many health benefits. It is rich in Vitamin C and some B Vitamins; minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, iron and copper; and the prebiotic fiber inulin. Inulin is known to feed the beneficial gut bacteria. Salsify contains high amounts of polyacetylene antioxidant compounds such as falcarindiol and falcarinol, known for their anti-cancer properties.
Salsify can be eaten either raw or cooked. Add it to your diet as often as possible.
In radiant health, passionately raw - Dominique
Dominique Allmon©2024
*Information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure a disease.