The beginning of March is the time when spring discreetly sneaks into the kitchen in the form of new vegetables. Longing for the taste of New Year's tomato, lettuce or chives we reach for them more and more often. However, what should we pay attention to?ópay attention when choosing new vegetables?
Just like the snowdrops in the forest, New Year's vegetables at the markets herald the arrival of spring. Crispy, juicy and – most importantly – fresh. Lettuce, parsley, tomato or radish introduce not only appetite-stimulating colors to dishes, but also the necessary B, E and K vitamins. On the surface, you may think that they are not fully valuable due to limited sunlight at this time, but it turns out that they are a valuable source ofówith the ingredientóin nutrients. SomeóSome of us still wonder whether greenhouse vegetables, i.e. those thatóre have artificially accelerated growth, they are less healthy than those grown in the field. Is this true and how to be sure that we buy vegetables from a trusted source ofódła? Explains nutritionist and health coach Joanna Salwa of Local Farmer.
From the greenhouse or the field?
New year's vegetables are grown headóIn greenhouses, where the sun does not fully penetrate. To accelerate the growth of vegetables, fertilizers with nitrogen are used, whichóry is usually excreted by the human body. Accumulated on the surface of plants forms nitrates, whichóre – happens – are sometimes converted into carcinogenic compoundsóby. Of course, with a small amount of even harmful substances, our immune system can easily handle it – do not panic, eating carrots in March. In the case of children, on the other hand, it is worth keeping a specialóWe should be very cautious, and certainly not expand the diet of an infant in the spring with vegetables or fruits from untested sourcesódeł – emphasizes Joanna Salwa.
Which new vegetables to choose?
The fastest available are ogórki, lettuce, radishes, tomatoes and carrots.
– We should remember that nitrates accumulate mainlyównie in the leaves and roots, so from the above group of tomatoes and ogórki will be safer than the rest. Let's also read the labels – If the tomato is from another country, it's hard to call it in ogóThey are a novelty. Imported vegetables are picked unripe, and when they reach us they are artificially stimulated to grow – mónutritionist.
Let's trust local produceórcom, choose proven crops, read reviews before buying. Such an opportunity is offered by the virtual market LocalFarmer.pl. We can find fresh vegetables and fruits, but róalso puree, sourdough, pickle – zamówired on Monday, we can pick up from the courier as early as Wednesday.
Buy smaller vegetables, not overgrown. Wash them longer than standard, and peel the carrots thoroughly. New vegetables will be fresher the more contact they have with oxygen and moisture – We avoid storing them in plastic packaging.
