Kohlrabi has a huge number of beneficial properties that have a wonderful effect on the human body. Appearing in ancient times, this cabbage has never been picky about the conditions in which it was grown. Kohlrabi literally means "stem turnip", and the external resemblance to turnip is so noticeable that the two cultures are often simply confused.
What part of this crop is considered edible? Today, you can find many recipes that use the stem crop. After all, it is in them that the most useful properties for the human body are contained.
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General description of kohlrabi cabbage
Kohlrabi is a vegetable plant that grown for two years... So, in the first year, only the stem crop begins to form, which can then be used for food, and the second year is the formation of a shoot that grows from the upper bud and often reaches its length up to 1 meter. Flowers appear on this shoot, which are collected in a brush. The fruit of this plant looks like a pod with seeds inside. The germination capacity of these seeds can last up to 5 years.
The stem fruit can have a wide variety of shapes:
- Flat-round.
- Rounded.
- Ovate.
The color of such a stalk can be of different colors: purple, light green, crimson... But the color will depend on which variety of kohlrabi cabbage was planted. But the pulp of this vegetable, regardless of the variety, will remain white.
The weight of the cabbage also depends on its variety. So, it can weigh 200 grams, and can reach up to 800 grams. The diameter can be from 10 to 15 centimeters. The leaves are green, medium in size, with a slight wax-like bloom. The deciduous cutting is of medium thickness and a dark purple shade.
If we evaluate the taste of kohlrabi, then its taste is very similar to the stalk of ordinary white cabbage, only a little sweeter and juicier... That is why this cabbage is perfect for making salads. You can also use this cabbage for side dishes.
Kohlrabi cabbage composition
The composition of kohlrabi is diverse. firstly, this vegetable contains a large number of such as vitamins C, A, B, B2, PP. Secondly, the composition also includes mineral salts, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, cobalt and iron.
Thirdly, the composition of this plant includes a large amount of enzymes, fiber and plant proteins. The pulp, which is rich in glucose and fructose, is especially useful. Today, kohlrabi is considered a valuable product for dietary nutrition, because it contains there are even sulfur compounds... It is known that the calorie content of 100 grams of this vegetable is 41.5 kcal.
By the way, kohlrabi cabbage is popularly called “northern lemon”. This name is explained by the fact that it contains a large amount of vitamin C.
Useful properties of kohlrabi
Kohlrabi cabbage has many positive qualities. So, it has a huge number of beneficial properties for the human body.First of all, this is a positive effect on the intestines: kohlrabi cabbage quickly cleanses it of toxins, toxins and other contaminants and harmful substances. This is facilitated by dietary fiber, which, entering the stomach, is not digested. But the main rule when eating this vegetable is to drink as much liquid as possible.
If you regularly eat kohlrabi, then a person's appetite will normalize. And if you drink vegetable juice, which will also include this variety of cabbage, then a person suffering from gastritis, cholecystitis or gastroduodenitis, the condition is improving. But you cannot drink more than one glass of such juice a day. If you regularly eat kohlrabi, then this can also normalize the metabolism, which will help restore the normal speed of all processes.
Thanks to the numerous beneficial properties of kohlrabi cabbage, you can remove excess fluid from the body, as well as reduce the load on the gallbladder, liver, and kidneys. This will be the result of a large amount of potassium in kohlrabi.
Kohlrabi can be used for the treatment of many diseases:
With anemia.- With diabetes mellitus.
- To restore the immune system.
- For the nervous system.
- For the oral cavity.
- For the skin.
- For weight loss.
- For the prevention of colon and rectal cancer.
It is believed that kohlrabi fruits are very useful for anemia, as it contains many trace elements that help blood cells to form. This is iron, zinc, iodine, selenium and even manganese. Therefore, for any type of anemia, constant and regular use of this vegetable is recommended. For example, you can make a salad from it by adding a little carrots. You need to eat it once a day for three weeks, but you should not use such a kohlrabi salad while you are eating other food. It is necessary to eat such a cabbage salad separately, but you cannot add salt, mayonnaise or sour cream to it.
It is believed that patients with diabetes should include kohlrabi in their menu. Cabbage contains a huge amount of vitamins that belong to different groups. Most of all, kohlrabi contains vitamin C, which in this vegetable is much higher than even citrus fruits. It is known that vitamins such as A, PP, E easily saturate the body, strengthen it. Therefore, as soon as a person gets sick, picking up any virus or infection, then you should immediately include kohlrabi cabbage in your diet. Usually this autumn and spring... Do not forget that all the beneficial properties are found in large quantities in fresh vegetables.
Even in ancient times, people used kohlrabi to calm or restore nerves. A good mood and a positive effect on the nervous system of cabbage is carried out due to the fact that the vegetable contains vitamin B. It is known that if this plant is regularly consumed, then nervousness disappears, the emotional state is quickly balanced, pressure normalizes and mood improves.
When eating kohlrabi, it necessarily has a positive effect on the oral cavity. So, first of all, strengthens teeth and gums, and also prevents the formation of inflammation in the palate, in the larynx itself and on the gums.
Kohlrabi is also useful for skin, especially for those that fade. Regular masks from this cabbage allow you to make your face look fresher and younger. It is easy to prepare a mask: grate a little kohlrabi on a grater and add 1 teaspoon of honey and dry yeast. Mix everything well and leave for 20 minutes. And only after that it is necessary to apply the mask to the face, which must be pre-cleaned. Leave the mask on the face for 20 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. The result will be great.
Currently, kohlrabi cabbage is known as the best way to lose weight. If this vegetable is consumed regularly along with cucumbers and apples, then fats will be broken down much faster.By the way, it is known that kohlrabi is a product that has a small amount of calories, but quite a lot of energy is expended during its digestion. Losing weight with cabbage is based on the effects of arginine and isoleucine. They actively influence the fact that all carbohydrates are not converted into fat, therefore, efficiency increases, and extra pounds successfully disappear.
The prevention of colon and rectal cancer is based on the protection of sulfur and sulfur-containing substances, which are contained in kohlrabi. But this requires eat fresh vegetables dailybut no salt. By the way, kohlrabi prevents atherosclerosis from developing.
Dangerous properties of kohlrabi cabbage
Kohlrabi cabbage has not only beneficial properties, but also dangerous ones. For example, if a person suffers from increased gastric acidity, then the use of this vegetable is strictly contraindicated for him.
It is not advisable to eat those fruits of kohlrabi cabbage that were grown in greenhouses and in greenhouses, as this vegetable can accumulate huge amounts of nitrates, which then provoke some very serious illness.
Kohlrabi in cooking
Many different dishes can be prepared from kohlrabi. Of course, the best and most useful option would be to eat raw cabbage, but it is also wonderful stewed, boiled, fried and even baked. If served with kohlrabi, which can be an excellent side dish, it will digest well.
Kohlrabi can also be used in the preparation of stews, soups, salads, okroshka, any festive dishes, filling and canning.
Growing and care
Kohlrabi of all varieties of cabbage is considered the fastest ripening. Therefore, several crops can be harvested at once per year. First of all, you need to decide which variety you need to choose.
The best varieties are:
- "Vienna White". This cabbage ripens early and is light green in color.
- "Violet". It is a late ripening variety that has a deep purple color.
Depending on which variety is chosen, the planting method is also determined. You can plant kohlrabi with both seeds and seedlings. Months such as April and May are great for planting.
Seedlings are grown from the end of March. Seeds are planted in a pre-prepared container with soil to a depth of 1, 5-2 centimeters. As soon as the second leaf appears, you should immediately spray it with a complex fertilizer: half a tablet per 1 liter of water.
To plant a vegetable plant in open ground, it is necessary to properly prepare the garden bed. First of all, she should be well lit... If pumpkin, zucchini, carrots or tomatoes grew in the garden before the vegetable, then the cabbage will grow well in this land.
In the spring, before planting seedlings, the soil is dug up, fertilized with compost. It takes about 3-4 kilograms of humus per 1 square meter of land. It is worth making sure that the soil is loose and fertile.
It is necessary to plant seedlings in the ground on a day when there is no bright sun. For example, in cloudy weather or in the evening. The distance between the rows should be equal to 70 centimeters, and between the holes about 20-30 centimeters. By the way, you can add 1 glass of humus to the holes. Immediately after planting, the bed is watered abundantly.
Care and storage of crops
In order for the kohlrabi harvest to be good, it is necessary to constantly water it and be sure to loosen the soil. You can water twice a week, and if there is a drought, then you should monitor the soil and water abundantly as it dries. It is necessary to loosen the soil around the vegetable so that this distance is about 8-10 centimeters.
You need to harvest carefully, performing the following steps in stages:
- Pull out the entire kohlrabi crop.
- Trim roots and leaves with pruning shears.
- Place in boxes, sprinkling with sand.
- Put the boxes with the harvest in the basement or put in another cool room.
You can also store cabbage in the refrigerator, but not more than a month... If the kohlrabi is cut, then it is worth putting it in special plastic containers, which will allow you to keep it fresh for a long time.
Protection from disease
Kohlrabi, like other types of cabbage, are subject to various diseases, and there is a threat of being damaged by pests. Although it still has a high resistance to some pests and diseases. But anyway the following preventive measures should be done:
In the garden where kohlrabi grows, there should be no weeds, they should be removed on time.- You can not plant kohlrabi in the garden if cruciferous plants were grown on it before.
- Regular watering of the future harvest.
- Timely feeding.
- It is necessary to process this plant in time with those preparations that will prevent the appearance of diseases or pests in it.
Knowing all the essentials about kohlrabi, properly growing this plant, you can get a wonderful harvest that will help a person fight for his healthy existence.
