Salsify

Every knowledge on vegetables, health and nutrition.

Scientific Name

Tragopogon porrifolius and Scorzonera hispanica (Asteraceae family)

Common name

Salsify
Salsify

Salsify varieties

The mild, sweet flavour of this little known root vegetable is often compared with oysters, asparagus and artichokes.

The flavour of salsify closely resembles that of parsnips ; it has a cream brown colour.

Its leaves are edible. Its young shoots are especially delicious and taste similar to chicory. A delight in soups and stews, or as part of a gratin dish, salsify can also be eaten cold with a little vinaigrette. It can be glazed like carrots or baby onions.

Black salsify, known as scorzonera, is tastier and less fibrous.

Vegetable garden: growing salsify

What we know as salsify today is in fact scorzonera, a black root, as indicated by the origins of its name: scorza nera (black skin).

They are sown in Spring, from mid-April to May.

The roots are harvested the following winter.

A break of five to six years is necessary between two salsify crops grown on the same parcel of land. The roots are very hardy. In winter, the plant develops if the average temperature rises above 7°C. Salsify plants prefer deep soils, fairly cool and rich in manure. In stony soils, the roots tend to become forked.

Production

Belgium and the Netherlands are Europe’s main producers.

Consumption

Most salsify products consumed are frozen or tinned (and very rarely fresh), although consumption remains low.

Nutritional values (per 100 g)

Tinned*

Cooked*

RDI **

Energy

27 kcal

34 kcal

Proteins

2.2 g

2.6 g

Carbohydrates

4.1 g

4.9 g

Fat

0.2 g

0.4 g

Fibres

8 g

9 g

30 g

Sodium

560 mg

18 mg

Potassium

238 mg

263 mg

2,000 mg

Vitamin E

2.5 mg

3 mg

12 mg

Vitamin B9

12 µg

20 µg

200 µg

* Ciqual 1995 ** Recommended Daily Intake

Nutritionist’s advice

Extremely high in fibre and low in calories, salsify promotes regular, natural bowel movements, making it suitable for people of all ages.

Since it is rich in potassium and low in sodium, it has natural diuretic properties.

It is rich in vitamin E and has antioxidant properties.

What is about portions...?

-a child portion : around ten

-an adult portion : around twenty

Cooking and nutrition: tasty combinations

-Salsify is delicious with melted cheese,which combined with its mild flavour make it a vegetable dish that’s high in fibre and calcium, and perfect for the whole family.

-Leading chefs have helped restore its reputation by serving it with truffles and scallops - truly divine!

>> See all of the foundation’s recipes