White radish
Although the white radish is considered to be a Bavarian vegetable, historically it actually originates from ancient Egypt. It helped the Pharaohs with rheumatism and gout, Cleopatra used it to soothe coughs and a sore throat. White radish lends the salad a certain spiciness, aromatic and fiery.
Celery stick
In ancient Greece, melancholy was banished with one stick of celery, and depression with two. No need to say any more about this plants purpose in a salad.
Radish
We’re still in the dark about its origins. Nice that there are still some secrets. Nobody knows in which country the radish’s cradle was. It wasn't until the 16th century that the sweet little cruciferous plant appeared in French cuisine, and from there on conquered the continent's salads. What can the radish do? Anti-aging. Helps prevent premature aging of the cells, gives the skin more elasticity, and stimulates the production of collagen - everywhere, on the chest, legs, bottom, and even has an Organic-Botox effect on the face.
Pomegranate
In Olympus there was a dispute between Aphrodite (goddess of beauty), Athena (goddess of wisdom) and Hera (goddess of power) about who was the most desirable. Because the immortals could not settle the argument themselves, they turned to a mortal with good taste in women. All three tried to bribe him. Hera offered to make him the most powerful man on earth, Athena promised him philosophical glory, and Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world. Obviously, he chose Aphrodite as the hottest goddess, and presented her with a pomegranate as a symbol of his choice. The young man’s name was Paris, the son of the King of Troy. Geographically the city belonged to Anatolia and the motherland of the pomegranate tree was ancient Persia. A beautiful tree with shiny red fruits, the seeds of which neither fleshy nor woody, like juicy sweet pearls in the mouth.
Garlic
For the superstitious. Garlic served the Near East and the Orient, as well as the Middle East and Maghreb, as protection against the evil eye.
Parsley
It was discovered in Morocco.
Effect: aphrodisiac.
Arugula
Effect; see parsley.
History: In ancient Rome, arugula was used to make love potions. Phallic statues, made in honor of Priapus, the god of masculinity, guarded the growing plant. In the Middle Ages, Catholicism prohibited growing it in monasteries. According to legend, some monks gave up their vows of chastity after drinking arugula liqueur.
Flavor: lends a nutty, spicy note to the salad.
Spring onions
So that China is in the salad too. The Middle Kingdom and the spring onion had an exclusive relationship for centuries, if not millennia, until Marco Polo came, saw and tasted it.
Recipe
1 Turnip
1 Potato-sized white radish
1 Celery stick
1 Red radish
1 Clove of garlic
1 Handful of pomegranate seeds
Some parsley
Some Arugula
2 Small spring onions
Spices
Black pepper and cumin
The Dressing
Fig flavored balsamic vinegar
Recipe: Anna Goncharenko
Text: Helge Timmerberg
Turnip
The turnip originally comes from India. That already makes it likeable. And as it embarked on its travels, it became known in Europe as an excellent low-calorie filler-upper, until the arrival of the potato. The ‘queen of the garden’, as the Russians called it, gives the salad the feeling of being a main meal. That’s good news. And there’s more: in addition to its benefits for the gut, liver and bile production, the turnip prevents colds and above all makes people beautiful. Teeth, nails, hair, and skin. One turnip a day prevents acne.
Credits
Translator Artemis Meereis
Proofreading Ada Delsolco
Odysseus: Pxfuel
Butt: Adam Kontor / Pexels
Anselm Feuerbach - The judgment of Paris / Wikipedia
