An amazing plant with beneficial properties for humans is physalis. Only we, unfortunately, know it more as an ornamental plant. Therefore, many readers have a question about whether it is possible to have physalis (fruits are in mind). We’ll try to figure this out today.
Everyone happened to watch the red heads of this plant on the flower beds in the fall. But not many even know that inside these lanterns are tasty and healthy fruits. Here we will talk about the benefits and dangers of physalis.
Plant characteristics
Many gardeners are very fond of planting this crop. It is an annual plant with beautiful lantern fruits. In appearance, the bushes look a bit like a tomato and mandarin. The plant also has a popular name - marunka, vesicle. You can notice physalis in the country from afar because of its bell-shaped cups of orange or red. The bushes of the plant have curved stems and reach a height of up to 1 m. It belongs to the nightshade family. It is both a flower, a vegetable and a fruit. The flower heads, like bells, hang down, forming very beautiful clusters. This property allows you to use them to create dry bouquets for the winter. In each flower, the fruit ripens, resembling a small tomato.
The plant got its name from the Greek language, where it means "bubble". Red lanterns are the shell of the fetus, but the physalis flowers themselves are very small and inconspicuous. They appear in the axils of the leaves, like eggplant. After pollination, a small berry forms, and a semblance grows from a sepals, similar to a flashlight. At first it has a green color, but then it turns yellow and orange. Such reliable packaging - protection of the fetus from viral and fungal diseases. Ripe berries are yellow, orange, red in color, but sometimes they are green or purple. This is an unpretentious plant, so a wild variety is considered even a weed.
Is it possible to eat wild physalis?
It is worth noting that this plant can be decorative and edible. Edible include vegetable and strawberry species. Vegetable slightly resembles a bitter tomato. Are you curious if you can eat fresh physalis? It is possible, but the taste due to bitterness is a bit unpleasant. Usually the fruit is first poured with very hot water. But the strawberry look has a sweet taste and resembles a fruit. It can also be consumed raw. The berries of the decorative varieties of physalis, which are planted on the flower beds, can not be eaten, they can be poisonous. Therefore, if you do not know whether it is possible to eat physalis, make sure that you have a vegetable or strawberry variety.
Safe eating
In Russia, not everyone knows how to use physalis. But the Americans widely use it in their diet. Indeed, in nature very common physalis is common or wild. Its fruits can be used in food. The red berries of this plant have such a color due to the high content of lycopene (antioxidant) in it. Vegetable and strawberry physalis contains a whole range of useful properties, so it can be safely consumed raw. Only on the berries is there a waxy film that can very easily be removed with hot water. Vegetable physalis is suitable for cooking second courses, and strawberry - for desserts. Often it is added to salads, cakes, sweets, bakery products.
Chemical composition
It should be noted that physalis is a low-calorie product. 100 g of berries contain only 32 callas. This is a rich source of protein, because fat is only 1 g. It is a pleasure for vegetarians to use. It is important to note that only ripe fruits can be consumed, unripe berries contain toxic substances (glycoalkaloids).
The chemical composition of the fruit is unique. They have a lot of vitamin A, B 1 , B 2 , B 6 . The miracle berry contains many elements of iron, calcium, zinc, copper, potassium, sodium. There are also useful substances in the physalis:
- essential oils;
- vitamin C;
- alimentary fiber;
- lycopene, pectin;
- flavonoids;
- tartaric, malic, citric acid;
- volatile;
- carotene.
The effect of berries on the human body, the benefits
The plant has a wide range of effects on certain organs of the person. Doctors note a high concentration of antioxidants in it, so the question of whether physalis can be eaten arises. Indeed, for health, the carotenoids and polyphenols present in it are so necessary. Physalis is widely used in medicine.
- Powerful antioxidant. Oncology prophylactic.
- Anti-inflammatory agent. Helps treat arthritis, gout, muscle and chronic pain, and the cardiovascular system.
- Fighter with hypertension. Lowers blood pressure, calms the work of the heart.
- Weight loss assistant. It is a low-calorie product.
- Source of fatty acids. Reduces bad cholesterol.
- The enemy of diabetes. Slows down the breakdown of sugar and carbohydrates in the blood.
- Means for improving vision. Relieves oxidation in the eyes, prevents cataracts from developing.
- The product is beneficial for the immune system.
Harm to humans
It does not hurt to know some warnings before consuming physalis. In general, the fruits have a good effect on the digestive system. Only people with high stomach acid should take the berries carefully. You should also not eat a lot of fruits at one time. Excessive intake of ascorbic acid is harmful to the stomach.
Sometimes physalis can be poisoned. This may be due to the use of a decorative plant variety. It should also be recognized that its leaves and fruit shell are poisonous. They contain poisonous alkaloids.
Do not eat berries together with coffee, this can lead to tachycardia and headaches. In some people, taking physalis can cause an allergy, which is even life threatening. Before you begin treatment with this tool, be sure to consult a doctor.
Preparations of physalis for the winter and main dishes
Low calorie berries can be used in vinaigrettes, salads, cold dishes. Sweet varieties are suitable for making sauces, desserts, hot dishes, pastries, sweets, drinks. Many people like pickled fruits, marshmallows, candied fruits, marmalade. It is also an excellent base for jam and preserves, vegetable caviar and cheese. Often cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, apples, pears, plums canned with the addition of wonderful berries.
Dried strawberry physalis is much appreciated. It retains all the useful properties. It is compared with ordinary raisins.
It is very easy to pickle fruits for the winter, because they are very similar in taste to tomatoes. You can store such a roll in an ordinary pantry. It can be pickled separately, but can be added to plums, tomatoes, cucumbers. Physalis will be a delicious preparation not in a simple vinegar marinade, but on tomato juice. We offer you one basic recipe for pickling vegetables for the winter. To get started, prepare the following ingredients:
- 0.5 kg of physalis fruits;
- 3 cloves;
- clove of garlic;
- 3 peas of black pepper;
- Bay leaf;
- horseradish leaf;
- 1 tsp salts;
- 2 tsp granulated sugar;
- 30 ml of vinegar.
First, spices and finely chopped garlic are placed on the bottom of the sterilized jars. Then they are filled with washed fruits. Pour salt and sugar. After that, boiling water is poured into each jar and aged under the lid for 20 minutes. Water is drained, boiled and again poured into jars for 20 minutes. This procedure is done 3 times. Before the third pouring, vinegar is added, boiling water is poured, and the jars are rolled up. For further sterilization, they still need to be wrapped.
Basic information on the selection and storage of berries
If you have to buy physalis berries, pay attention to the shade. It should be saturated yellow or orange. The elasticity of the fruit, dense and undamaged skin is important. For desserts and pastries, purchase a strawberry variety. Vegetable physalis is suitable for salads, appetizers, side dishes, pickling. Store fresh fruits in a cool, slightly moistened place. In such conditions, they can lie for about 2 months. It will be best to physalis in cardboard boxes with holes or wire boxes. After a few days, look around the boxes, select soft berries and discard spoiled ones.