Nutrition Salads from the chicory group are ideal in winter

Healthy food in winter: chicory salads with high nutritional content
Salad is delicious in every season - but should be used in the cold season, preferably to typical winter varieties. This is recommended by the Consumer Information Service aid. Because endive, radicchio and chicory belong to the so-called chicory plants, which can not be affected by cold and light minus degrees. As a result, they have a higher nutrient content compared to leaf lettuce or lettuce. In addition, all varieties contain the bitter intybin, which, among other things, is considered to promote metabolism and stimulate the stomach.

More vitamins and minerals than in leafy lettuce
Most salad varieties can be divided into two botanical groups: the lettuce and the chicory plants. The former give off a milky liquid when cut and contain little bitters, known representatives are e.g. Head, iceberg and romaine lettuce. The Zichoriensorten contain more bitter substances, are richer in valuable vitamins and minerals (such as potassium, iron) and contain less nitrate. This is because salads of the chicory group well tolerate cold and light frost and therefore can be harvested in the field in late autumn, explains the consumer information service aid.

In winter, salads from chicory plants with their high nutrient content are well suited as a supplement to the diet. (Image: Printemps / fotolia.com)

Chicory, the name of which is derived from the botanical name of the chicory "Cichorium", is the classic chicory plant. Other known varieties of this group are endives and radicchio. A further advantage of winter salads is the aid according to the longer durability compared to head and leaf salads due to the firmer texture. Radicchio can stay in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, which is best done in paper.

Winter salads also suitable for hot meals
In general, the winter salad should be consumed as quickly as possible, because over time it loses vitamins and other valuable ingredients. To prepare the salad, it is advisable to remove the stalk and the outer leaves and thick leaf ribs, as this is the most bitter and the highest proportion of nitrate. The varieties of the chicory group can also be used for hot dishes because of their stronger flavor and taste particularly good when dressed with tart dressings. (No)