If we like new, distinct flavors, we should try watercress Nasturtium officinale.It is a perennial belonging to the cabbage family, growing wild at the banks of streams, in periodically flooded wetlands, especially in the western and southern part of our country.Since 2004, the watercress is under strict species protection.
However, it can be successfully grown, as do the English, Dutch, French, Germans and Swiss, in special irrigated quarters. If we have a pond in the garden, let's try to grow this vegetable on the shallow shores of the reservoir.Adequate water purity is important, however - in nature, the cress grows mainly over flowing water. It can be propagated both from seeds and by dividing plants.
Requires a sunny or semi-shaded location and slightly alkaline or neutral soil.It can also be grown at home, in containers filled with pebbles and mineral water.The usable part of the cress are leaves and shoots, as well as small seeds. The leaves are used in various salads and salads, but also as an addition to sandwiches, cottage cheese, soups, omelettes and meats, and the seeds are used to season meats and salads.
Watercress is a rich source of vitamins as well as minerals.In Poland, its harvesting is forbidden by law, but the seeds of cress can be bought in countries where it is grown on a larger scale, e.g. in Germany.
