Healthy kohlrabi Also leaves are edible

Kohlrabi leaves with valuable ingredients

26/04/2011

The kohlrabi period starts in the month of May and ends in early October. Because most people only use the kohlrabi tuber for cooking, many do not know that you can eat the precious leaves as well. Because kohlrabi leaves „contain even more nutrients than the tubers“, as the well-known author and cooking expert Martina Kittler explained.

Making kohlrabi leaves like spinach
In most cases, the kohlrabi is commercially available with whole leaves. If the leaves are fresh, they should also be used for a wholesome and healthy diet. „Crushed and raw, the leaves rich in vitamins ensure a great taste in salad, soups and cooked vegetables“, reports the cookbook author. The leaves can also be cooked individually like spinach and taste best seasoned with salt, pepper and puffed in butter.

Rich in vegetable proteins and vitamins
There are many different kohlrabi varieties, in Germany about 30 white and 14 blue kohlrabi varieties are cultivated. Kohlrabi is rich in vegetable proteins, fiber, minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium and iron. Kohlrabi includes vitamins C, A, B1 and B2. 100 grams of unprocessed kohlrabi contains just about 24 calories and is therefore suitable as food in the context of a healthy diet. What many do not know: Kohlrabi contains more vitamin C than oranges, more magnesium than most other vegetables, and peaks in the energy vitamin niacin.

Kohlrabi in Naturopathy
In naturopathy experts know that especially the blue varieties in addition to the ingredients mentioned an extra dose of anthocyanins that supports the natural protective function of the heart and circulation. In addition, Kohlrabi brings the intestine through the high content of dietary fiber in the momentum and also acts cancer-preventive, immune system-strengthening and also lowers the cholesterol level. Half a tuber covers the daily requirement for vitamin C, "says Martina Kittler, author of the book" Vegetarian. "In her book, the author shows a variety of vegetarian dishes that can be prepared with kohlrabi. (Sb)

Image: Kurt Bouda