Choice and storage

Kangkong is prepared for harvesting about 45 days after seedling. Choose prime shoots; depart about 2 inches off the decrease stem to advertise new progress for later harvest. Harvest earlier than blooming for the perfect taste.

Within the markets, water spinach is offered in bundles of varied sizes and weights. Search for the deep inexperienced, massive leaf sorts since they’re extra flavorful than the small leaf selection.

Keep away from wilted, yellowish leaves. Additionally, keep away from broken, insect-afflicted greens.

Water spinach leaves broken early if not saved in cool environment. Preserve them wrapped in moist towels, and place them contained in the fridge as in different greens like spinach.

Preparation and serving strategies

As in watercress, this leafy inexperienced additionally thrives in aquatic environments. Due to this fact, wash in clear, working water, after which soak in salt water for about half an hour with the intention to rid of parasite eggs and worms that thrive properly beneath aquatic situations.

Mop dry utilizing a smooth fabric or paper towel. Chop utilizing a paring knife. Trim away robust stems. Younger tender shoots could also be eaten uncooked in salads. Bigger leaves ought to be cooked earlier than consumption.

Kangkong greens have a really delicate, subtly candy style and barely mucilaginous texture. Steam cooking or braising brings out their distinctive flavors and contrasts the feel between crunchy stems and succulent, moist leaves. Sauté with butter and garlic, toss with just a little vinegar, and end with sprinkling toasted sesame seeds. Boiled greens can also be served creamed and cheese sprinkled.

Listed below are some serving suggestions:

• Recent, tender shoots of kangkung utilized in inexperienced salads.

• Younger stems and leaves are boiled, steamed, or sauteed in oil, and utilized in numerous dishes corresponding to stews and curries.

• Tumis kangkung is an Indonesian stir-fried water-spinach with chilies and shrimp paste.

• Finely chopped younger stems and leaves could be sautéed in oil and garlic used as a filling for momos (dim sum).

• Kangkong can be an excellent substitute for different leafy greens corresponding to spinach, chard, basella, sorrel and so on, in lots of recipes.

Security profile

Being an aquatic plant, kangkong greens might harbor many water-borne pests which can trigger intestine infections like flukes (F. buski).

Larval levels of those trematodes encyst (known as as metacercariae) on aquatic crops corresponding to water-spinach, water chestnut, water caltrop, lotus root, and different edible crops. Uncooked, uncleaned greens when consumed might trigger signs like abdomen ache, diarrhea, fever, allergic reactions to larvae, and in instances of heavy infestation, intestinal obstruction.

Purchase water-spinach from the acknowledged farms that use clear water for irrigation. Keep away from if the greens are sourced from stagnant and polluted water.(Medical disclaimer).

≻≻-Again to Greens from Kangkong (water spinach). Go to right here for a formidable listing of greens with full illustrations of their vitamin information and
well being advantages.

≻≻-Again to Residence web page.

Additional studying:

1. USDA Nationwide Nutrient Database.

2. Water spinach– pdf.

3. College of Hawaii at manoa-Ung Choi: Postharvest High quality-Upkeep Tips. -pdf