Malabar spinach – An easy-to-grow, easy-to-cook vegetable with many outstanding health benefits
Malabar spinach, also known as Malabar spinach, is a green vegetable of the Euphorbiaceae family, very popular in Vietnamese cuisine. With soft stems and small, dark green leaves growing in clusters, Malabar spinach is not only easy to grow but also grows quickly.
This vegetable appears frequently in the daily meals of Vietnamese people, from the countryside to the city, and is also an important ingredient in folk remedies. With Vietnam's tropical climate, Malabar spinach can be grown all year round, easy to care for and harvest.
Malabar spinach is known for its many health benefits, becoming one of the most popular vegetables in the Vietnamese diet.
Malabar spinach is not only a popular dish but also a valuable source of nutrients. According to nutritionists, this vegetable contains many times more vitamin C than famous fruits such as oranges and lemons. It is estimated that the amount of vitamin B2 in Malabar spinach is 10 times higher and vitamin C is 45 times higher than in common vegetables. In addition, Malabar spinach also contains vitamins A, B, fiber and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, bringing many health benefits.
Malabar spinach is known for its many health benefits, becoming one of the most popular vegetables in the Vietnamese diet.
Physician Vu Quoc Trung said: "Walnut has a cooling effect, helping to clear heat and detoxify the body. Using spinach in soups or making juice helps to cool the liver and reduce heat effectively, especially on hot summer days." Therefore, spinach is considered a natural "cooling medicine", helping the body stay light and comfortable.
With a mild flavor, Malabar spinach is a vegetable that can be easily combined with many other ingredients to create delicious dishes, suitable for the taste of all ages.
In addition to its cooling effect, Malabar spinach is also considered an effective vegetable for improving sleep. Physician Bui Hong Minh, chairman of the Ba Dinh Oriental Medicine Association, shared: "Malabar spinach contains some substances that soothe the nerves, helping the body relax and fall asleep easily. Therefore, Malabar spinach is often used in dishes for the elderly and children, who often have problems sleeping."
In addition, Malabar spinach also helps prevent osteoporosis thanks to its high calcium and phosphorus content. Physician Nguyen Xuan Huong, former president of the Vietnam Oriental Medicine Association, commented: "Calcium and phosphorus in Malabar spinach help strengthen bone structure, prevent osteoporosis, especially important for the elderly. In addition, iron in Malabar spinach also helps replenish blood, supporting people with anemia." Therefore, not only is Malabar spinach a nutritious vegetable, it is also a reliable "friend" for bone and joint health.
With its mild flavor, Malabar spinach can be easily combined with many other ingredients to create delicious dishes, suitable for the tastes of all ages.
One of the most popular dishes made from Malabar spinach is Malabar spinach soup. Malabar spinach soup can be cooked with minced meat, shrimp, or bone broth to enhance the natural sweetness. In particular, Malabar spinach soup with minced meat is a refreshing, nutritious dish that helps to relieve body heat and is easy to prepare for family meals.
Amaranth soup with shrimp, one of the dishes that often appears in Vietnamese family meals.
Besides soup, this vegetable can also be stir-fried with garlic, beef, or pork, creating delicious and unique stir-fried dishes. Stir-fried spinach with garlic retains its light crunchiness, blending with the characteristic aroma of garlic, bringing a unique culinary experience.
In addition, for those who love to experiment, Malabar spinach juice is also a choice worth trying. Malabar spinach juice has a dark green color, a refreshing taste, and can be mixed with a little sugar and lemon to enhance the flavor.
How to grow the national "vegetable" in a foam box
Growing Malabar spinach at home is not only simple but also very convenient, especially for small spaces such as balconies or terraces.
Malabar spinach is an extremely easy vegetable to grow and does not require much care. Photo: Huyen Khanh
To grow this vegetable, you need to prepare a styrofoam box about 20-30 cm deep, ensuring it has drainage holes to avoid waterlogging. The soil should be loose, rich in nutrients, and organic fertilizer can be mixed in to increase nutrients.
The simplest way to grow Malabar spinach is to use mature Malabar spinach cuttings. Place the cuttings in the soil and water regularly but not too much.
Malabar spinach needs natural light to grow, so the styrofoam box should be placed in a place with gentle sunlight, not too harsh.
Not as fussy as other vegetables, Malabar spinach is suitable for many types of soil and grows strongly. Photo: Huyen Khanh
After only about 3-4 weeks, Malabar spinach will begin to sprout and grow strongly, providing a source of fresh, clean vegetables for the family.
Malabar spinach is not only a familiar dish in family meals but also a vegetable that brings many health benefits. From the ability to cool the body, improve sleep to prevent osteoporosis, Malabar spinach deserves to be a natural "miracle drug" in every family's kitchen.
Growing spinach at home is also very simple and inexpensive, helping you always have a source of fresh, nutritious vegetables right in your living space.
With all these wonderful benefits, Malabar spinach is truly an indispensable "friend" in every meal, bringing health and joy to the whole family.
Source: https://danviet.vn/loai-rau-dan-da-co-ham-luong-vitamin-c-cao-ngat-de-trong-de-che-bien-giup-quet-sach-rac-trong-ruot-20240902002458291.htm
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