Watercress: The vitamin-packed leafy green you can grow at home

Looking for a way to enrich your diet with a highly healthy and flavourful vegetable? Get to know watercress—an actual vitamin bomb that can revolutionise your approach to cooking. Although it is not easy to find in stores in Poland, you can successfully grow it at home, even on a tiny windowsill.

Watercress is a true wealth of nutritional and flavour values. Its spicy aroma and taste make it a perfect addition to various dishes, from sandwiches to salads. Moreover, fresh watercress can be quickly grown at home, making it even more attractive to healthy food lovers.

Scientific studies have confirmed that watercress is one of the healthiest vegetables in the world. It contains numerous vitamins, minerals, and other valuable substances that positively affect our health.

• Vitamin treasure trove: Watercress is a genuine concentrate of vitamins. It contains more vitamin C than citrus fruits and surpasses carrots in beta-carotene content. This strengthens the immune system, improves vision, and has antioxidant properties.
• Source of minerals: This vegetable is rich in calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium, which are essential for the proper functioning of the body.
• Anti-cancer properties: The isothiocyanates found in watercress have potent anti-cancer properties, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
• Anti-inflammatory properties: Watercress has anti-inflammatory effects thanks to glucosinolates, which can help alleviate many ailments.

Fresh watercress leaves have a characteristic, slightly spicy flavour. They are perfect as an addition to:

• Salads: Watercress will add freshness and originality to your salads.
• Sandwiches: Combine them with cottage cheese, hard-boiled egg, or cold cuts to create delicious and healthy sandwiches.
• Soups: Add a few watercress leaves to a creamy soup for an aromatic and nutritious meal.
• Egg dishes: Watercress goes perfectly with scrambled eggs, omelettes, or fried eggs.
• Roasted potatoes: Sprinkle chopped watercress on roasted potatoes for a tasty, aromatic side dish.

Growing a watercress at home is extremely simple. Buy the seeds and sow them in a small pot or box filled with soil. Watercress does not require special conditions; it should be provided with light and watered regularly.

If you are looking for an original idea for using watercress, try making pesto. Blend lightly blanched watercress leaves with walnuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, and salt. This delicious and healthy pesto tastes excellent with pasta, sandwiches, or meats.