Organic Russian Giant Black Scorzonera - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds

Giant Black Scorzonera is an ancient vegetable plant also known as Black Salsify. It is a perennial cultivated as an annual for its long, very dark-skinned root. Its tasty white flesh can be used cooked as fries, in salads, with cream or butter. Scorzonera is sown from March to May for a harvest from October to April.

Scorzonera has been known about since antiquity for its use as a medicinal plant. Originally from the Iberian Peninsula, it was first consumed in the 17th century. Its root can be enjoyed cooked in salads, as fries, with cream or butter. Scorzonera has digestive and diuretic properties, and contains vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, iron, and magnesium.

Scorzonera is grown like salsify and requires a supply of well-decomposed compost (3 kg/m²) in late autumn or early spring.

Harvest: From October to April as needed (they can be kept in the ground) by digging them up with a spade.

Storage: Scorzonera can be kept fresh for a few days. They can be frozen after being blanched for a few minutes in boiling water. They can also be stored in a cellar for a few months, buried in sand.

Gardener's tip: Maintain regular weeding and hoeing. Cut the flower stalks as soon as they appear.