Many of you have often seen on sale branches with closed buds of an orange hue, similar to flowers and containing an exotic berry inside. But not everyone knows what kind of plant it is and how to use it. This crop has the name "Physalis vulgaris". The plant grows in America, Africa, Mexico, as well as in the Caucasus and in some regions of Russia. Most often used as a decorative element. Some varieties of physalis are used to prepare various dishes as a useful food additive. In this article, you will learn about the types and properties of this amazing plant, how to grow it and what you can cook from it.
Description
The physalis fruit is shaped like a small tomato and belongs to nightshade crops. It may be orange, red, yellow orgreen color. The bud of the plant looks like a bell, and its name in ancient Greek means "bubble". And indeed, the petals of the flower, swollen from the inside and fused upward, look like a Chinese paper lantern. Biologists consider physalis a berry. A weighty argument for this statement is the high sugar content in fruits.
By the way, not all varieties of physalis are edible. Vegetable and Peruvian (berry) varieties are suitable for consumption. For decorative purposes, common physalis is used, since its berries are not suitable for food. They taste bitter and can also be poisonous.
Popular varieties
There are more than a hundred species of this member of the Solanaceae genus in the world. Before people became aware of the beneficial qualities of physalis, it was considered a wild and weed plant. Cultivate and grow berries in our region began at the beginning of the century before last. The most common varieties that do not require complex care are berry and vegetable crops, as well as some ornamental shrubs.
Physalis vulgaris
This is a perennial ornamental plant, reaching a height of more than half a meter. The bush has many flowers - "lanterns" of red, yellow or orange. In garden plots and front gardens, it is grown as an ornament. Common physalis begins to bloom in late spring, and the berries ripen only by September. This species differs from the edible culture in a rather bright and juicy color. He is unpretentious tocalcareous soil and resistant to cold climates, so it takes root well in Russia. The most popular common physalis is considered to be the Franchet variety, from which original compositions are created to decorate rooms and houses.
Sweet fruit
An annual crop that loves warmth and is sensitive to abrupt climate change is the Peruvian physalis. During flowering, the bushes are covered with small and sweet fruits that can be eaten right there. Physalis berries differ in taste and are divided into several varieties:
- marmalade;
- dessert;
- strawberry;
- pineapple.
Peruvian varieties are consumed both fresh and processed. It is dried, jam, jam and marshmallow are prepared, added to pastries. Physalis juice is mixed into sauces for fish and meat dishes.
Vegetable physalis variety
These shrubs are perennial and unpretentious to the composition of the soil. The fruits of these plant species are quite large and contain a lot of useful substances for the body. The taste is not as fragrant and tasty as that of berry varieties, and nevertheless, jams, jams, sauces, and caviar are also prepared from vegetable physalis. A vegetable fruit can be colored not only in a bright orange color. But green physalis, and yellow, and even purple can grow. Vegetable plants are more resistant to weather changes and are even ready for light frosts. Little susceptible to disease and immune to the effects of various small pests. The most common varieties are"Confectioner" and "Korolek". Mainly used in culinary pastries.
Is the plant he althy?
Physalis has all the beneficial properties due to the unique composition, which includes:
- pectins;
- alkaloids;
- glucose;
- acids;
- phytoncides;
- antioxidants;
- vitamins A, B, C;
- tannins;
- tannin and other equally beneficial elements for the body.
Having a low calorie value, fruits are recommended to be consumed during diets. The plant is also used in folk medicine as a diuretic, choleretic and anti-inflammatory agent. With it, you can get rid of edema, normalize kidney function. The use of physalis strengthens the immune forces of the body. In addition, pectin, which is part of the berry, improves intestinal motility, solving the problem of constipation.
In diseases of the respiratory system, physalis helps to get rid of sputum. It also helps reduce headache and joint pain. But people with high stomach acidity and allergies to the fruits of the plant should stop using them.
Cultivation
Shrubs are propagated by seeds or seedlings. It depends on the type of plant and the climatic conditions of the area. Seeds of ornamental physalis are enough to be placed in the soil once. This plant is perennial and self-propagating. For the first sowing should be selectedthe highest quality seeds. Before planting, they are placed in a solution with s alt and mixed. The material that has floated to the surface is removed, as this is a sign of its deterioration. Seeds ready for planting are disinfected and dried.
To get a good harvest on time, the cultivation of vegetable physalis must begin with the calculation of the sowing time. Seedlings are prepared about 6-7 weeks before being placed in the ground. The culture grows best in a sunny area, bears fruit well and does not lose nutritional properties. It is better not to plant physalis in place of related crops, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplants - after these vegetables, the soil is usually very depleted, giving all the necessary minerals to the predecessors. As for sowing, due to the unpretentiousness of the crop to weather conditions, the seeds can be placed in the soil both in late autumn and early spring. It is recommended to sow thickly so that the sprouts are strong.
Recipes
After growing and harvesting, the question arises of what can be prepared from physalis. Consider several popular recipes using this product.
Since physalis is considered a berry, dishes are prepared accordingly. For example, jam. To prepare it, you need ripe fruits. They need to be peeled, washed thoroughly and placed in sugar syrup (use half of the required sand for a certain amount of water). The mass should boil for about 5 minutes, then cool for 5-6 hours. After that, put the jam on the fire and add sugar in thatthe same volume. Stir the mass for 10 minutes, then repeat the procedure. At the last stage, the jam must be heated again, brought to a boil and boiled for 15 minutes. Completely cooled jam should be placed in a prepared container, evenly distributing berries and syrup. Store the finished meal in a cool place. To make jam (based on 1 kg of fruit), you will need the same amount of sugar and half a liter of pure water.
Physalis can also be used to make delicious marshmallows. Before cooking, the berries are peeled, washed, blanched and cut into pieces. Then one kilogram of fruit is covered with half a kilogram of granulated sugar and left for 2-3 hours until the juice is released. After that, the mass is boiled for 10 minutes, rubbed through a sieve onto a baking sheet and placed in the oven to bake for 20 minutes. Then the baked sheet of berry mass is laid out on parchment paper and dried. The finished marshmallow can be rolled up and stored in the refrigerator for several months, cutting off a few slices as needed.
Physalis can also be used to make stews. In addition to 500 grams of berries, you will need 200 grams of carrots and onions, 50 grams of celery, 100 ml of vegetable oil. Seasonings such as s alt, pepper, garlic and laurel, add to taste. Mix all ingredients and fry until cooked. Serve slightly chilled.
Now you all know about physalis: what can be prepared from this fruit, what types of it are known and how the plant is grown.
