Food & Receipts

Underrated Wild Herb: A Satisfyingly Delicious Plant Similar to Ginseng

This wild plant often grows abundantly along roadsides, especially in rural areas. However, few people are aware that this wild plant is also edible.

Administrator

8 December, 2023

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The jackfruit tree used to grow wild, but now it is planted in many empty spaces in parks or residential areas to create greenery and scenery.

The leaves of the jackfruit tree are small, green, and the flowers are yellow or purple. The roots are white and resemble the shape of ginseng roots and are edible. The leaves have a sour taste, and the roots have a slightly sweet and watery flavor.

Although it is a wild plant, it can be used as an ingredient in cooking, especially in sour fish soup. Nutritionists also state that jackfruit contains substances that help cool the body, have antibacterial properties, heal bruises, and are especially good for women with irregular menstruation. In some places, it is also used to treat burns with surprising results. You can refer to the delicious recipe with jackfruit leaves below.

Ingredients for sour fish soup with jackfruit leaves

– Cleaned rice fish, remove the guts and head: 300g

– Tomatoes: 1-2 fruits

– Jackfruit leaves: 200g

– Fresh lemongrass: 2 stalks

– Chillies: 2 fruits

– Spices: Sugar, salt, chili, fish sauce, sugar

– Cooking oil

– Scallions

Instructions

– Choose fresh rice fish that has been cleaned, with the head and tail removed to save time on processing. Then rinse the fish with water several times. You should note that good rice fish has a intact head and body, with a shiny surface that looks beautiful.

– Marinate the rice fish with 1 tablespoon of soup powder and 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder for about 20 minutes.

– Crush the lemongrass, cut into pieces about 3cm long. Cut the scallions into pieces 2cm long. Cut the tomatoes into wedges. Slice the fresh chillies.

– Heat the cooking oil, stir-fry the lemongrass until fragrant, then add the tomatoes and stir-fry together. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1.2 liters of water. Salt will help soften the tomatoes more quickly.

– When the soup is boiling, add the marinated rice fish. Then simmer for about 20 minutes until the fish is cooked and tender, then add the scallions, chillies, and 1/2 teaspoon of fish sauce.

– Rinse the jackfruit leaves, drain the water, and then add them to the soup when it is boiling. Jackfruit leaves are thin, they cook quickly and can also be eaten raw, so you can rest assured. Adding the jackfruit leaves at the end will help the leaves retain their beautiful green color and avoid making the soup too strong in aroma.

– Scoop the jackfruit leaf soup into a bowl, add some fresh jackfruit leaves on top for decoration, and you’re done.

– Rice fish soup cooked with jackfruit leaves is very delicious. The soup is sour, fragrant with lemongrass, and the fish is soft and sweet, making people not want to put down their chopsticks.

Some notes when eating jackfruit leaf soup

Although jackfruit leaves are good for health, there are some things to keep in mind when eating them:

– Jackfruit leaves contain a large amount of oxalic acid and potassium oxalate. Consuming a large amount of this vegetable can cause kidney or bladder stones. Therefore, doctors advise you not to eat too much of it, especially if you have kidney or bladder problems.

– Pregnant women should not eat this vegetable as it can be harmful to the health of both the mother and the baby.

– This vegetable grows wild and can be contaminated with dirt, insect eggs… Therefore, when washing, you should soak them in salt water and then wash them several times with clean water. Besides, you should also use gentle force to avoid crushing the vegetables.