Salsify

Tragopogon porrifolius

vegetable · root · prebiotic

Long, thin, pale-skinned roots of a Mediterranean plant of the dandelion family, grown for its inulin-rich root; peel, then cook. 100 g provide 3 g of protein and 3 g of fibre, with fructans.

Origin

Mediterranean basin

Season (United States)

October to March · grows in your region

Preparation

It is peeled, and its latex sticks to and blackens the fingers: gloves, and a squeeze of lemon in the water to keep its color.

Molecules

Fructans (inulin, FOS) · Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

In English it is called oyster plant, for the taste it is credited with; or goatsbeard, for the fluffy ball of its ripe fruits.