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Vol 39. Jang
May’s Seasonal Vegetables
Seasonal namul (salad) is not only fresh and nutritious, but also excellent in taste and color. It is cheap, and can be purchased easily. Let’s take care of our health with seasonal vegetables in May.
Source. <Healthy Table Set with Namul>, LEESCOM·Korea Agricultural Marketing Information Service – KAMIS (www.kamis.or.kr)
Chinese Chives
- Characteristics and nutrients: They are rich in vitamins A and B, and their unique aroma enhance the eaters’ palates. Allicin, which offers spiciness, helps relieve fatigue by increasing the absorption rate of vitamin B1 in the body.
- How to select: Leaves should be uniform in thickness, and they should be dark green evenly. Also, the stem should be straight.
- Usage: Salad, geojeori (fresh kimchi-style salad), kimchi, etc.
Bellflower Roots
- Characteristic and nutrients: It has a bitter taste that is unique to the ginseng class. It is high in fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Saponin, the main component that produces the bellflower root’s bitter taste, is good for bronchial and respiratory health.
- How to select: A whole bellflower root is thin, short, and has many fine roots. Select the one with the main root that is split into 2 or 3 branches, like ginseng. Peeled bellflower root is white, has a strong aroma, and has a straight form.
- Usage: Rice, soup, namul, salad, and jeon (pancake)
Fatsia Shoots
- Characteristics and nutrients: Since they are rich in protein, vitamin C, and calcium, they help stabilize nerves and blood circulation. Their saponin component is effective in enhancing vitality and relieving fatigue.
- How to select: Select the one that has a soft stem, but is hydrated and supple. The ones with contracted ends, and not spread out, are fresh and soft.
- Usage: Parboiled greens, jeon, pickled vegetables, etc.
Bracken Fern
- Characteristics and nutrients: They are rich in potassium and phosphorus, and when dried, they become richer in minerals. They are good for the skin as they protect the skin and mucous membranes, clear the head, and strengthen teeth and bones.
- How to select: The stem of the raw bracken ferns should not be too long and adequate, and plump in thickness. The leaves that do not bloom largely and are wrapped like fists are young ferns, which are soft.
- Usage: Namul, stew, etc.
Water Parsley
- Features and nutritional ingredients: Their fragrant aroma enhance the eaters’ palate. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, and are high in potassium, helping to excrete components such as heavy metals and sodium in the body.
- How to choose: The leaves should be even in length, and the stem should not be too thick. It is in light reddish color under the stem, and when it is broken, the one that breaks easily with moisture on the cross section is good.
- Usage: Herb added to various dishes, including soup, stew, salad, parboiled greens, etc.
Frequently Used Namul Seasoning
- Gukganjang (Soy Sauce for Soup) Seasoning
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp Gukganjang, 1/2 Tbsp chopped green onion, 2 tsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and ground sesame salt
Matching namul: Wild aster, bracken fern, taro stem, sweet potato vines, etc.
Signature taste: Subtle savory effect that brings out the flavor of the ingredients
- Doenjang (soybean paste), Seasoning
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp doenjang (soybean paste), 2 tsp gukganjang, 1 Tbsp chopped green onion and minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and ground sesame salt
Matching namul: Shepherd’s purse, outer cabbage leaves, chard, Korean thistle, dried radish greens, etc.
Signature taste: Nutty and deep flavor
- Gochujang seasoning
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp gochujang (red chili paste), 2 Tbsp vinegar, 2 tsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and ground sesame salt
Matching namul: Greens that are bitter or the ones with strong aroma, such as ixeris, wild parsnip, etc.
Signature taste: Sweet and sour flavor
- Salt seasoning
Ingredients: 2 tsp chopped green onions and minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil and ground sesame salt, a suitable amount of salt
Matching namul: Bean sprouts, mung bean sprouts, spinach, bellflower root, cucumber, etc.
Signature taste: Nutty and clean flavor
Source. <Healthy Table Set with Namul>, LEESCOM
