salsify

Thân thiện

The chef prepares a creamy soup with salsify.

Definition

Noun 1. A plant (Tragopogon porrifolius): A biennial herb, native to the Mediterranean, with purple flowers, milky sap, and a long, edible taproot. It is also called "oyster plant" or "vegetable oyster." 2. The edible root of this plant: A long, pale, carrot-like root vegetable with a flavor sometimes compared to oysters or artichokes. It is eaten cooked. 3. (Less common) A related plant (Tragopogon pratensis): Sometimes called "meadow salsify" or "goat's beard," this plant has yellow flowers and a root that is also edible.

Usage Examples

• As a plant:
  • The purple flowers of the salsify are quite striking in the garden.
  • We are growing salsify for its unique-tasting root.
• As a vegetable/food:
  • The chef prepared a puree of roasted salsify.
  • You can boil, mash, or fry salsify like a parsnip.

Advanced Usage

• Culinary Context: Salsify is often categorized as a "forgotten" or "heirloom" vegetable. Its skin must be peeled and the root is typically placed in acidulated water (water with lemon juice or vinegar) after peeling to prevent discoloration before cooking.
  • After peeling the salsify, keep it in lemon water to retain its color.

Variants and Related Words

• Oyster Plant: A common name for (salsify).
• Vegetable Oyster: Another common name for salsify, referring to its flavor.
• Goat's Beard / Meadow Salsify: Common names for the related .
• Scorzonera (Black Salsify): A different plant () with a black-skinned root, used similarly in cooking. It is not true salsify but is often grouped with it.

Synonyms

• Oyster plant (for the common purple-flowered variety)
• Vegetable oyster (for the common purple-flowered variety)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• No common idioms or phrasal verbs are directly associated with this specific word. It is primarily a botanical and culinary term.

Học thuật

Noun

1. either of two long roots eaten cooked
2. Mediterranean biennial herb with long-stemmed heads of purple ray flowers and milky sap and long edible root; naturalized throughout United States
3. edible root of the salsify plant

Từ đồng nghĩa

• oyster plant
• vegetable oyster
• Tragopogon porrifolius