THE 11 MOST COMMON EDIBLE ROOTS USED IN COOKING - NUTRITION - 2024

The edible roots are those that produce thickening of roots that stretch or rounded much to finish a long and narrow filament, giving this portion a greater nutritional elements and accumulated charge.

The plant world provides humans with many of the foods they consume daily. From plants it can not only eat the fruit or the seed; there are a wide variety of plants from which the root can be eaten.

Among the characteristics shared by edible roots, we find that they are plants that send nutrients to their roots during the first year and from the root the plant manages to nourish the flowers and fruits.

There are 3 varieties of plants with edible roots: tubers, rhizomes and root plants or vegetables.

Very popular edible roots

1- Ginger (

Ginger is a plant native to the Indomalaya area. Its cultivation dates back to ancient times, in regions such as China and some European territories.

Ginger is formed from an underground rhizome from which the stem grows with the rest of the plant. It can reach up to a meter in height.

It is recommended in decoction, infusion and pharmacological preparations such as powder, oleoresin, syrup, tincture and capsules. It is also used in cooking for its spicy and pleasant flavor; It is used as a condiment and complement in infusions or juices.

In medicine it is used to treat the digestive system. The fresh rhizome can be used against vomiting, coughing, bloating and pyrexia.

The properties of ginger for throat conditions and infections have been recognized for its antibiotic and antifungal effect.

2- Turmeric (

Root native to Asia, where it has been used as medicine, essence and ink. It is believed to have similar properties to ginger.

It is used to reestablish the balance of the body. For external use, the turmeric tincture prepared with alcohol, in friction, calms rheumatic pains.

It serves as a diuretic, is used in the treatment of liver diseases, to regulate menstruation and to alleviate labor pains.

It is recommended as an eye wash, flu remedy, antispasmodic, digestive and emollient and as a vermifuge, both for humans and elephants.

3- Carrot (

Considered native to Asia, its cultivation has spread around the world. Biennial development, long root, orange color, with a small stem from which wrinkled and green leaves emerge.

Carrots are a rich source of vitamin A-like caratenoids that have been shown to help repair damaged skin. Helps prevent cancer and heart disease and is used in cooking raw in salads and cooked.

4- Yucca (

It is native to the tropics of Latin America, where it developed much of its genetic diversity. It has about 150 species, and among them we find trees of up to 15 meters.

Cassava is mainly used as food, it must be cooked until soft. In Indonesia, cassava is grown with rubber and oil palm, it is used as shade in the establishment of new cocoa plantations and starch can be extracted from it.

5- Pope (

The potato is native to the Andes mountain range, in the Andean highlands, and can be found up to 4300 meters above sea level.

It belongs to the Solanaceae family, it is an edible tuber from which a stem with abundant oval leaves comes out. Variable size according to the species.

Potato is the fourth most important crop in the world, grown in more than 100 countries. It contains high quality protein and has all the essential amino acids and vitamin C.

In Europe at an industrial level it is used in the production of vodka, whiskey, starch and other industries use it as fast foods (French fries) and chips (flakes).

6- Beet (

Beetroot is native to India. It is a plant with a fleshy and large root, the edible part. The root is spherical and globose, its color varies between pink and purple, but the pulp is deep red and the taste is sweet. Stems and green leaves grow from the root.

It is used in the kitchen raw in salads or cooked for different dishes. Its flavor is sweet.

The root has been used to combat toothache. Beets provide a rich source of vitamin C and folate, as well as being high in potassium.

7- Licorice (

Licorice is native to Europe and Africa, being used for 3000 years. It has a main root that can reach a palm in length from which others that extend underground up to 1 or 2 meters, about the thickness of a finger, come out. From its main stem, underground branches or horizontal rhizomes are born.

It is used mainly as a medicine and sweetener in the treatment of stomach ulcers, also used against asthma and dry cough. It is anti-inflammatory and also relaxes the mucous membranes.

8- Radish (

Radish is native to Asia. The useful part is the thickened, succulent root of reddish, pink, white or combined external color.

It is used as an ingredient in fresh salad, it is healthy because it is very low in calories, high in vitamin C and its cellulose contributes beneficially to the intestinal bolus.

9- Parsnips (

It has been for years a wild plant in the temperate zones of Europe. It is a vegetable closely related to carrots and parsley.

It is a biennial plant, its long tuberous root has cream-colored skin and flesh, its leaves are odd-pinnate, with serrated edges and hugging petioles.

It is used in cooking and was used as a sweetener before the advent of cane sugar.

10- Ginseng (

Etymologically it means a remedy against all ills or diseases. It is native to the mountainous areas of Asia, especially Korea, Japan, and Eastern Russia.

It is used as a medicine to combat exhaustion and weakness, to reduce cholesterol in the blood, is digestive and stimulates the immune system.

It is also used as an aphrodisiac, to strengthen sexual activity, vigor and concentration, against aging, insomnia, nervous tension and stress.

11- Valerian (

It is native to Europe and Asia where it generally grows in humid places rich in smoke. Its unpleasant smell attracts cats and rats.

It is a herbaceous vine with white to very light cream flowers. Valerian root or cat plant is indicated for temporary situations of mild nervous tension and difficulty falling asleep.

In compresses it can relieve muscle cramps, it has many properties but it is known as a tranquilizer. It can treat epilepsy, anxiety, fatigue, intellectual exhaustion, insomnia and headaches.

References

1. Ara, A. (1997) 100 chosen medicinal plants. Ed. EDAF. Madrid.
2. Berry, S. (2002). Kitchen 0 km. Ed. Of rowan. Spain.
3. Ciarlotti, F (2016). Ayurveda medicine. Volume II. Ed. Lea. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
4. Duke, J. (1997). Natural pharmacy. Ed. Rodale. USA.
5. León J. (1987). Botany of tropical crops. Collection of books and educational materials / IICA. Costa Rica.
6. Mañeru, M. (2014). Vegetable garden at home. Ed. Libsa. Spain.
7. Montaldo, A. (1972) Cultivation of tropical roots and tubers. Ed. IICA, Peru.
8. Salazar, M. Peralta, R. and Pastor, J. (2009). Treatise on psychopharmacology. 2nd Ed. Pan American Medical Ed. Madrid Spain.
9. Sánchez, M. (2013) Bazaar of species. Ed. Palibrio. USA.
10. Segura, S. and Torres, J. (2009) History of plants in the ancient world. University of Duesto. Madrid Spain.
11. Yeager, S. (2001) Medical Guide to Food Remedies. Ed. Rodale. USA.