Salicornia europaea - European Glasswort, Sea Pickle

The European Glasswort or Salicornia europaea is an annual plant, also known as Sea Pickle, which sums up its main use quite well. It is a wild plant that can also be cultivated in vegetable gardens. In nature, it grows in the sun or partial shade, along the seaside, on our coastlines and in salt meadows. It is the stems that are consumed, preferably young, raw or lightly cooked. With a slightly crunchy texture, they have an iodized and salty flavor. They can be preserved in vinegar to be eaten as a condiment (pickles). Fresh, they can be eaten raw in salads or quickly blanched as side vegetables.

The European Glasswort belongs to the Chenopodiaceae family or the Amaranthaceae family depending on the classification. It is found in sandy-silty coastal areas or at the edge of salt marshes and salt meadows along the French and European coastlines. The plant develops a very dense tuft composed of green, succulent-looking, tubular stems, measuring up to 40 cm (16in) in height. It blooms in summer with tiny yellow flowers.

It is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as trace elements.

Harvesting: Pick the young shoots of the stems as needed from May to August. However, at the end of summer, the stems are tougher and fibrous. In home cultivation, pick the young shoots after 2 to 4 weeks, or more developed ones, measuring about 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) in height after 6 to 8 weeks.

Preservation: In vinegar, like pickles, for preservation.

Gardening tip: this plant likes sandy and salty soils. While watering with saltwater is not essential, it is preferable for a more flavorful plant: opt for a solution of 5g / liter of water. When cultivated in non-salty soil, its taste is quite neutral, but it absorbs other flavors well. European Glasswort can be grown both in open ground and in pots (always using sandy substrate) in moist soil. Avoid excessive watering. In regions with hot summers, prefer spring and autumn cultivation, which offer cooler conditions. Pinch the young plants to encourage branching.