The spring breeze blows, the earth awakens, and wild flowers and grasses grow in the fields, showing a vibrant scene. In this lush green sea, there is a miraculous plant praised by Li Shizhen as "clearing qi and benefiting the stomach", which is called "cucumber vegetable" among the people. However, such a medicinal and nutritious wild vegetable is often overlooked and reduced to a weed.
With the arrival of spring, nature seems to have turned on the switch of life, and all kinds of wild grasses and wildflowers begin to grow wildly. They are the same day after day, from the initial "grass color is close but there is nothing", to the later lush green, as if telling the power of life. There are countless varieties of these lush weeds and wildflowers, many of which are considered pests by farmers. However, with a little attention, we can uncover the hidden treasures within.
01, the neglected "cucumber dish"
Among the many weeds, "cucumber greenery" is an existence that is often overlooked. It is not what we often call cucumbers, but a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, which usually grows as an annual or biennial herb. This magical plant, which was praised by Li Shizhen as being able to "clear qi and benefit the stomach", has a down-to-earth name among the people - "cucumber vegetables". Perhaps because it smells like a melon, or because it resembles some cucumber varieties, the name has been passed down.
02. There are many aliases, and the names are different in different places
Due to its wide distribution, it can be found in many parts of the continent. As a result, it also has numerous aliases. These aliases not only reflect people's love and importance for it, but also reflect its unique position in different regional cultures. For example, Mao Lianlian, wild mustard, goldenrod sticks, wild greens, etc. are its other names in different regions.
And the most interesting of them is the name "Returning Yang Grass". This is because cucumber vegetables are strong in nature, and even if they are plucked or their leaves wither, they can quickly return to their green appearance when exposed to water, as if they have the ability to come back to life.
03. Nutritious wild vegetables
Although "cucumber green" is ubiquitous in the wild, it is a nutritious wild vegetable. Its green and tender leaves are shaped like spinach, which is not only refreshing and delicious, but also rich in nutrients. It is understood that "cucumber vegetables" contain a large amount of dietary fiber, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc and other trace elements, as well as phenolic acids that are beneficial to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular substances. These nutrients make "cucumber vegetables" not only have medicinal properties, but also be a healthy and delicious wild vegetable delicacy.
04. Morphological characteristics of "cucumber vegetables".
The morphological characteristics of the "cucumber vegetable" are very distinctive, with an erect and tough stem, long leaves with serrated lace on the edges. Every April and May, it will pull one or more flower arrows from its base and produce yellow flowers, typical of chrysanthemums. These delicate flowers are beautiful, and the green leaves are contrasted with each other, forming a beautiful landscape.
05. Eating methods and cooking skills
The young stems and flowers of the "cucumber dish" can be eaten, and there are various ways to cook them. In folk, some elderly people usually pick some fresh "cucumber vegetables" to eat. They can be blanched and served cold, or they can be soaked in lightly salted water for a day to remove the bitterness before simmering in soup or stir-frying. In addition, the "cucumber dish" can also be pickled into kimchi and eaten as an appetizer. No matter what kind of cooking method, the deliciousness and nutrition of "cucumber dish" can be perfectly presented.
06. The medicinal value is significant
In addition to being eaten as a wild vegetable, "cucumber vegetables" also have significant medicinal properties. Li Shizhen recorded its medicinal effects in detail in the "Compendium of Materia Medica", saying that it can "clear qi, benefit the stomach and intestines", and has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, invigorating blood and reducing swelling. In folklore, it is often used to treat various ailments such as colds, coughs, sore throats, etc. The whole herb of "cucumber vegetable" is used in medicine, and its medicinal effects can be exerted by taking decoction internally or mashing and covering.
epilogue
With the increasing attention to healthy eating and the gradual rise of the wild vegetable market, the market value of "cucumber vegetables" has gradually become prominent. It is understood that at present, the price of "cucumber vegetables" in the market can reach about 20 yuan per catty, and the price after drying is as high as about 70 yuan per catty. This price not only reflects the scarcity and medicinal value of "cucumber vegetables".
Unfortunately, not many people in rural areas know the value of the "cucumber vegetable" at present, and it is still often treated as a weed. Therefore, it is necessary for us to strengthen the publicity and promotion of "cucumber vegetables", so that more people can understand and realize the value of this treasure wild vegetables. At the same time, farmers can also be encouraged to carry out artificial planting and cultivation work to meet the growing market demand for "cucumber vegetables". It is believed that in the near future, "cucumber vegetables" will become a bright pearl in the wild vegetable market.