Brukva - what is this vegetable and what are its useful properties

Vegetable growers have undeservedly forgotten about the valuable qualities of the rutabaga, and today we try to remember and write about this vegetable culture. At once we shall tell, that root crop is the champion on the maintenance of ascorbic acid, and about its useful properties it was known from ancient times.

Biological features of rutabaga

Brukva - what is this vegetable plant? According to its medicinal and nutritional properties, high-yielding root crops are similar to all known turnips. It is famous for its high content of microelements and vitamins. This is a two-year-old plant of the cruciferous family with fleshy dissected leaves. In the first year of maturation, the vegetable develops a large, round-shaped root crop, which rises above the soil, and a rosette of leaves. In the second year he blooms and gives seeds. The thickening of the root crop begins on day 40 after emergence. Pulp is quite firm in yellow or white color.

Interesting information

From reliable sources it is known that our ancestors "tamed" the vegetable culture. Some argue that nature itself has given this valuable vegetable to people through the natural crossing of cabbage and turnips.

In many countries of the world it is loved and respected. Especially it is appreciated in Germany, there from it prepare very tasty delicacies. In this country there is even a popular fairy tale about a trouser, as we have in Russia about a turnip. In Russia, it was introduced not so long ago - in the 16th century, and immediately gained wide popularity among the population. However, with the advent of potatoes, its cultivation has dramatically decreased, for whatever reason, it is difficult to say. But in the countries of the far abroad and the Baltics, whole plantations are assigned for its cultivation. There is a very appreciated rutabaga.

Cultivation and care of root vegetables

The plant tolerates cold well, so it is grown even in northern points of agriculture. Adult plants normally tolerate frosts to -6 ^о С, young roots - up to -4 ^о С. Grow seeds begin at + 2 ... + 4 ^о С. The most acceptable temperature for the development of vegetable culture + 16 ... + 20 ^о С.

When culturing, care must be taken to light to get a high yield. The vegetable grows well on moist soils. The rumen is often affected by various diseases, so it requires careful care. The best soil for its cultivation is sandy loamy and loamy with a neutral reaction. Also cultivated peat bog is suitable. Stony, swampy and sandy areas are completely inappropriate for cultivation.

Agrotechnics

Before sowing the soil should be fertilized and lime. For these purposes, the manure, compost, phosphorus and potassium organic fertilizers are suitable. Very in need of large quantities of boron. If you follow the above requirements, you will grow a sweet, juicy and delicious rutabaga. What is this plant, it was described above, and you will learn about useful qualities later.

It should be noted that the vegetative period in the root is rather long - 115 days. To accelerate this process, it can be planted in seedlings or in sowing (seeds). Before planting, the seeds should be put in warm water for half an hour. Then wrap them in a damp cloth and hold for six hours. After all the manipulations, the seeds should be dried and dispersed into pre-made pits to a depth of 3 cm, while rinsing with ordinary tooth powder.

Vegetable growers recommend adding a little superphosphate together with the seeds, so that young people do not experience phosphorus deficiency. An important condition: before planting the soil must be moist. After sowing, the beds should be compacted, and after four days, loosen the soil crust. The first shoots will appear on the sixth day. This pair of leaves will grow on the 10th day. In the second phase of the leaves, thinning is performed between beds up to 10 cm.

The procedure is repeated after a few weeks. For one season, two loosening between beds and at least three propolis are carried out. Safeguard the plant from infection with cruciferous fleas will help ground lime or ash. Fertilizer is sprayed on the third day after disembarkation. Do not forget that the water-loving rutabaga (see photo below), therefore in droughty weather, the vegetable must be watered (two liters of liquid per 1 sq. M.). Soil should be moistened to the full depth, so that the roots get enough moisture.

It is recommended to make watering with a solution of fermented grass. You can consume fruits when they reach 6-7 cm. Harvesting is carried out before the onset of frost. In order not to damage the skin of the vegetable, the tops should be carefully cut with a sharp knife. Then it is placed in dry boxes and covered with peat or sand. It is stored at a temperature not higher than 4 ° C. Cultivation and care consist in regular weeding, systematic loosening of beds, fertilizing, watering and fighting with dangerous pests of this culture.

Description of varieties

Until recently, the choice of varieties of this valuable plant was very meager. Today in the Russian markets you can buy different varieties of foreign selection, which are distinguished by their high taste qualities. We describe the most popular and best of them.

"Wilma" is an early spring with crispy and sweet roots. Their mass reaches 500 grams. Transport is well tolerated, stored for a long time and used even fresh.

"Krasnoselskaya" is considered one of the best table varieties. The flesh of the root is sugary, juicy and dense. The average weight is 300-600 grams.

"Kuusiku" is a mid-late fodder and a high-yielding variety with a fruit weight of up to two kilograms and a valuable haulm.

"Swedish yellow" - a variety of table and fodder. It tolerates frosts well. Very tasty and sweet rutabaga.

Varieties related to foreign breeding

"Marian" - resistant to powdery mildew and keel. With sweet pulp and pleasant aroma.

"Lizzie" is a juicy, very sweet root. The best of all previous varieties.

"Ruby" - in taste is similar to "Lizi".

In your garden you can grow any vintage variety for consumption. With proper care, the harvest will surpass all expectations.

Biochemical composition and caloric content of vegetable culture

It is worthy of attention, as it is enriched with mineral salts (potassium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, copper, sulfur), pectins, ascorbic acid, proteins, fiber, rutin, essential oils, group B vitamins. Vegetables can rightfully be called a well of vital for human Organism of microelements and vitamins. It contains mustard oil, which helps fight harmful microorganisms. Brukva is a low-calorie product, it contains only 35 kcal (per 100 g). Dietitians and doctors advise it to use to everyone who follows their figure, adheres to the right and balanced diet.

Healing properties

In ancient times people used this plant for therapeutic purposes in inflammatory processes. Widely used for the treatment of measles rutabaga. Useful properties of root vegetables are caused by wound healing, anti-burn, anti-inflammatory and diuretic action.

He made healing medicines, which were used to treat people with bone tissue damage. The miraculous composition allows us to adjust the gastrointestinal disorders, normalize the "stool", remove puffiness, and also cleanse the intestines from toxins and toxins. It is proved that the rutabaga perfectly dilutes sputum and coughs.

It is recommended for beriberi and atherosclerosis. With her help, you can increase immunity and restore the vital forces of the body. The curative properties of rutabaga were known in Medieval times. People used it to normalize metabolic processes. Vegetable juice was used for burning wounds and burns.

Folk recipes

Rutabaga, useful properties described above, at all times used to maintain and preserve health without the use of medication. We offer popular and effective recipes, tested by practice and for years.

- With a dry cough: you need an average vegetable, which you need to clean and grind in a meat grinder. In the "stuffing" add honey (proportions 2: 1). The therapeutic mixture should be used on a small spoon four times a day, washed down with warm water.

- With chronic pathology of the respiratory system: for half a kilogram of root, take 50 g. Chalk, the same amount of butter and walnuts. Cut finely chopped rutabaga, a few minutes before readiness and add honey. Take with chopped nuts.

Contraindications

Doctors do not advise her to use in the acute form of gastrointestinal diseases. Other contraindications have no rutabagus. What is this vegetable culture and what are its healing properties, you now also know.

How to use?

Add root not only in desserts, but also in different sauces, salads and second courses. Since this is a low-calorie product, it can be used instead of potatoes, making tasty stews and mashed potatoes. Thus, you will supply your body with vitamins and do not add weight. Vegetable is perfectly combined with dried fruits, fresh apples, mushrooms, eggs, carrots, celery.

Fill it with low-fat yogurt, sour cream or olive oil and enjoy the taste. We offer several vitaminized recipes for you and your children.

Salad with apples and rutabaga

Take one root, chop on a grater and beat it with boiling water. Add to the vegetable mass peeled and chopped apples (2 pcs.), Sprinkling with lemon juice, and pour the crushed walnuts (you can add almonds or cashews). As a filling, sour cream is used 15%.

Spicy dish with pork and rutabaga

The following products will be required: lean pork (three hundred grams), potatoes (4 pcs.), Rutabaga (two hundred grams), leeks and spices - at your discretion.

Cut small pieces of meat into small portions and send them to cook. We cut the root crop and potatoes with small blocks. Fill with water and stew with salt and thyme until they become soft. Pass the leeks and together with the pork lay out to the vegetable mass. Serve with green salad.

More often include in your diet this super-useful vegetable culture, because the excellent taste characteristics of the rutabaga. What is it and what it is prepared for is described in this article.