Vegetables are one of the essential foods in our daily diet. Vegetables provide various nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that our body needs. So what are the well-known seasonal vegetables in spring?
Shepherd's Purse
Shepherd's purse is a wild vegetable and one of the most representative plants in spring. It is also known as spring vegetable because it has low temperature requirements and regenerates early. Chinese people have a long history of eating shepherd's purse, and it has a very delicious taste. There is a poem in the Book of Songs that goes, "Sweet as shepherd's purse." Some people use shepherd's purse as stuffing for spring pancakes, spring rolls, and dumplings. Adding shepherd's purse to soup can replace MSG. Making a simple soup with shepherd's purse, tofu, and small mushrooms is simple yet incredibly delicious.
Chinese Toon
Chinese toon is a perennial deciduous tree. Chinese people have a long history of eating Chinese toon. As early as the Han Dynasty, Chinese toon, along with lychee, was offered as tribute to the court. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, Chinese toon leaves have a spicy and warm taste and enter the liver and lung meridians, promoting circulation and dispersion.
Elm Fruits
Elm fruits are the fruits of the elm tree and are commonly known as "winged fruits." Because of their thin shape resembling coins, there is a description in poetry that says, "Light as butterfly wings, smaller than coins." Elm fruits are named after this. Also, because it sounds like "extra money" in Chinese, there is a saying that eating elm fruits can bring "extra money."
Cilantro (Coriander)
Cilantro, also known as coriander, is native to the Mediterranean coast and Central Asia. It was introduced during the Han Dynasty by Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions, so it is also called "Hu Cilantro." In northern China, it is generally sown in autumn and winter and harvested in spring. Cilantro itself has a strong fragrance, and many people, especially children, do not like the taste of cilantro and may never eat it in their lifetime.
Purslane
Purslane, also known as longevity vegetable, five-element herb, comfort vegetable, sour rice vegetable, and longevity vegetable, is the whole plant of the purslane plant in the purslane family. Purslane is a wild vegetable that has been recorded in ancient books as a vegetable that contributes to human health. It is called "longevity vegetable" and "longevity vegetable" in folk tradition.
Mung Bean Sprouts
Mung bean sprouts are rich in nutrients such as retinol, phosphorus, and potassium. They have a sweet taste and cold nature and can clear heat. Mung bean sprouts can be stir-fried or juiced for consumption.
Bamboo Shoots
Bamboo shoots contain vitamin A, vitamin C, retinol, phosphorus, potassium, etc. Bamboo shoots have a sweet taste and cold nature and have the effect of relieving stagnation and eliminating phlegm. Cooking bamboo shoots with rice in porridge is a light and delicious dish in spring.
Celery
Celery is rich in retinol, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and other components. When cooked with glutinous rice, it has the function of relieving heat and promoting urination. In addition, stir-frying celery with lily is a light and appetizing dish.
Garlic Chives
Garlic chives are rich in carbohydrates, protein, retinol, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, etc., and have seasoning and antibacterial effects. Eating garlic chives in spring can help to warm the body, promote hair growth, and invigorate the yang energy. According to traditional Chinese medicine, garlic chives have the function of warming the middle and dispersing cold. Stir-frying garlic chives with pork or pork kidney is a nutritious choice.
