The benefits of leaf and root celery, use in cooking and cosmetology

Benefit

This plant, regardless of its variety, is enriched with vitamins, minerals and other beneficial substances.

Any part of the plant can be used for medicinal purposes.

Celery prevents the formation of kidney stones and breaks up existing ones. This property will be useful for those who do not have the formation of large stones. Regular consumption of celery leaves can help you forget about vitamin deficiency. Greens stabilize the functioning of the digestive organs. The use of celery is very beneficial for men. It is only necessary to prepare it correctly so that the beneficial properties of the plant are not lost during the cooking process.

Oil is made from the upper parts of celery, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the human reproductive system. This effect is especially pronounced in males. In addition, they can be treated for infertility. Celery tops contain substances that make blood vessels more elastic, which is necessary for older people.

Including plant greens in your daily diet can prevent a person from contracting the following ailments:

Due to its high content of vitamin B, celery has beneficial general strengthening properties.

The plant, including its roots, has a positive effect when:

• nervousness;
• overwork;
• sleep disturbance;
• stress.

Root tincture is used for the following diseases:

• neurogia;
• rheumatism;
• gastritis;
• lung diseases.

The greens of the plant will be useful in cases of hair problems. The leaves, rich in vitamins, will help with dryness and other skin diseases.

Celery juice can be used as a local lotion for:

There is an opinion that food containing such a useful herb promotes the development of mental abilities and stabilizes the body's mood. Also, due to the large amount of vitamin C, when consuming the plant in question, you can save yourself from infection in the body.

It is also worth mentioning that some people are prohibited from consuming celery leaves. It all depends on the human body and its condition.

The body may react negatively to a plant in the following cases:

• the presence of chronic diseases;
• eating food in an unhealthy state of the body;
• allergic reaction;
• intolerance to this product.

Moderate consumption of celery will not harm health in the absence of individual contraindications. It is also not recommended to consume it on an empty stomach and make it the main product for dieting.

Even a small amount of celery juice taken per day without other food can cause gastrointestinal diseases.

Celery: benefits for women

Celery is an ideal dietary food product with low calorie content: only 42 kcal per 100 g for the root and 13-16 kcal for the leaves and stems. Low in fat and carbohydrates, it is an excellent source of fiber and provides low-calorie fiber.

We have already mentioned the benefits of celery for hair, nails and skin. These qualities, together with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, led to its use in cosmetology. However, you can just as successfully use celery decoctions at home on your own.

This plant has an effect on a woman’s hormonal levels, thereby eliminating mood swings during periods of premenstrual syndrome and menstrual periods. However, on critical days, you need to maintain moderate consumption of this plant, since the apiol contained in celery can have an excessive blood-stimulating effect. Celery increases the tone of the uterus, so it is better to remove it from your diet during pregnancy.

Vitamins and minerals in the plant

This plant does not need to be eaten in large quantities by those who have kidney stones. Celery can cause the stones to move and move, and this often leads to emergency medical attention. The plant can be harmful to people with inflammatory diseases of the colon mucosa due to the presence of essential oils in it.

There is an opinion that celery provokes epileptic attacks. If you have such an illness, the product can be consumed, but only with great caution.

Also, do not abuse it for the following diseases:

• varicose veins;
• thrombophlebitis;
• uterine bleeding;
• allergies;
• flatulence.

The taste of this plant has a negative effect on mother's milk. Therefore, nursing mothers should avoid taking spices during feeding, otherwise the baby may stop breastfeeding. There is no need to eat large amounts of celery during pregnancy. It contains substances that, at a certain amount, promote contraction of the uterus.

Harm of celery

Leaf or root celery is not equally beneficial for everyone. It can be harmful to health if consumed under the following contraindications:

1. Individual intolerance.
2. Urolithiasis disease.
3. Tendency to epileptic seizures.
4. Predisposition to salt deposition.
5. Hypertensive crisis.
6. Pancreatitis.
7. Cholecystitis.
8. Gastrointestinal bleeding.
9. Phlebeurysm.

Advanced age and lactation period will complement the list of contraindications to the use of this useful plant.

Article rating

Vitamins and minerals in the plant

The energy value of celery is about 30 kilocalories per 100 grams. The root system contains 32 kilocalories for the same weight.

The finished product has the following composition characteristics:

• proteins - 0.9 g;
• fat - 0.1 g;
• carbohydrates - 2.1 g.

As for the vitamin content, the following indicators are found per 100 grams of any part of the plant.

A - 0.01 mg, takes part in metabolic processes, normalizes hormonal levels, is needed for healthy skin, vision, and the formation of bone tissue. The recommended dose for adults is 0.6 mg per day;

• B1 - 0.03 mg, promotes the functioning of the intestines, nervous and cardiovascular systems, has a calming effect during stress, strengthens the immune system. The dosage for adults is two milligrams per day;
• B2 - 0.05 mg, needed for problems with vision, brain cells, nerves, skin, endocrine glands, digestion, prevents the development of oncology. The daily dose is 1.5 mg.
• B3 - 1 mg, lowers cholesterol, stabilizes blood circulation, converts amino acids, normalizes hormonal synthesis, which affects the psyche, prevents pellagra. The daily dosage is 1.4 mg.
• C - 8 mg, needed for the absorption of carbohydrates, cell development, and boosting immunity. With its deficiency, problems appear with: bones, gums, skin, blood. About 90 mg is needed per day.

Medicinal properties of the plant

The plant (all its parts) contains a rich set of useful elements, due to which celery has numerous medicinal properties:

• the functioning of the cardiovascular system is restored, the heart muscle is strengthened;
• the risk of developing atherosclerosis is reduced;
• the functioning of the nervous system is normalized;
• celery is used in the treatment of kidney diseases, hypertension, pathologies of the genitourinary system;
• helps fight gout;
• improves the process of gastric juice production;
• improves the functioning of the digestive system;
• prevents the occurrence of putrefactive processes in the intestines;
• facilitates the occurrence of diseases such as gastritis and stomach ulcers;
• improves liver function.

Celery is used as an adjuvant in the complex therapy of heart and vascular diseases.

© natalieina17 — stock.adobe.com

How to store

Plant greens are stored dried or frozen. During the drying process, it must be constantly stirred to avoid rotting.

There are several ways to freeze a plant:

• in a sealed container;
• in plastic bags;
• in ice trays.

Before the procedure, the leaves do not need to be sorted from the stem part. To freeze in ice trays, the greens must be chopped and then filled with water.

Celery can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks if it is dried and wrapped in foil. When the leaves are torn off from the stem part, then they will be stored for some time less. Well-dried and chopped celery greens can be stored in a paper bag for a long time.

Greens can be pickled in a jar. Salting mainly involves either leaves with stems or stems alone. For 1 kilogram of greens you need 200 grams of salt.

Cooking methods

Any part of leaf celery can be eaten both after heat treatment and raw. Raw greens are added to salads and vegetable snacks. The roots are consumed in any form: raw, can be boiled, fried and baked, they are combined with spices and vegetables.

There are many dishes using leaf celery.

The plant retains its beneficial properties if it does not undergo heat treatment, but boiled celery is also beneficial for the body.

Heat treatment

Separately, it is worth paying attention to the main courses with stem celery. To preserve the beneficial properties of this product, heat treatment must be carried out very carefully. For example, you can bake fish very tasty. It won't take long. To work you will need:

- 3 mackerel carcasses, salt, 3 cloves of garlic, 17 grams of vegetable oil, 1 bunch of celery and basil and a little black pepper.

This dish is prepared quickly and easily:

1. First, the fish must be gutted and washed thoroughly.
2. Use a sharp knife to make small cuts on the sides and insert basil leaves into them. If smaller portions are required, then the carcass can simply be cut into pieces.
3. Coarsely chop the peeled and washed celery stalks. The length of each piece should be no more than 3 centimeters.
4. Simply crush the peeled garlic with the flat side of a knife.
5. Cover a baking sheet with foil.
6. Spread the celery over it. He will act as a “pillow”. Place garlic nearby.
7. Place the fish on top and drizzle with oil.
8. Wrap the foil and seal the edges tightly.
9. Place the baking sheet in the oven for 20 minutes. Bake at 220 degrees.

Tender, aromatic and very tasty fish will be an excellent dinner or a wonderful addition to lunch.

How to choose

In order not to purchase poor quality celery in the store, you need to pay attention to the condition of its stems. If they are fragile and do not bend well, then this is a good product. The flexibility of the plant means it has been sitting on the shelf. The best option is when the stems are soft, but at the same time brittle. The leaves should not be limp. Drooping celery can only last 2 days.

It is better to buy root parts in large sizes. You can check for the presence of internal emptiness by tapping; if the sound is clear, then emptiness is present. The beginning of rotting can be determined by pressing on the top. A good root is solid on all sides.

The best varieties for growing in open ground

Today, the Russian market offers a huge assortment of seeds, allowing you to grow stems of petiole celery in almost any climate zone. The varieties bred by Russian breeders are especially popular.

Russian breeders have developed a whole collection of celery varieties adapted to our conditions

These plants are adapted to the changeable harsh climate of Russia, common diseases and at the same time have good taste characteristics. The most popular varieties are shown in the table.

Product combinations

This plant can be consumed as food not only as an independent product.

It is used in:

The taste of the plant does not make it possible to use it in combination with fruits that are sweet to taste. The stems are combined with sour fruits, and the leaves are used as a spice.

In hot dishes, celery leaves in any form can be used without stems. They are used along with parsley or basil.

In such dishes, the upper parts of the plant are compatible with:

• other spices;
• tuna;
• boiled meat;
• vegetables.

The dish will become healthy and tasty if, along with celery, you add: paprika, herbs and nuts. The stems are used in soups and casseroles, the leaves add beauty and flavor to the dish. Celery is used in dishes with canned fish and boiled meat of any animal and poultry. Sausage and plant are very rarely combined. Fried roots of the plant go well with mushrooms; this dish will especially appeal to those who are fasting or on a diet.

Celery in folk medicine

In folk medicine, celery juice has become very popular, and is credited with the most wonderful properties. It is believed that drinking a glass of this drink every morning for a month helps cleanse the body of all types of toxins.

Herbal medicine reference books describe the benefits of the plant for male sexual health and libido.

It is also recommended to use it for conditions such as:

• headache;
• hypertension;
• depression;
• prostration;
• poisoning of the body;
• avitaminosis;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Before using any plant as a medicine, you should consult your doctor.

What to do with celery leaves? How to save them?

This was my first experience growing petiole celery in my garden. Celery is a very beautiful and quite unpretentious plant. It grows quickly and the petioles can be used for food, but what to do with these magnificent leaves? How to store them for the winter? What dishes can they be used in? Have any of you used celery leaves for soups?

petiole celery with leaves

I was curious and tasted a leaf of stalked celery that I grew. The taste was similar to regular leaf celery, but more bitter. After studying various information, I realized that in order for the grown celery to be more tasty and the leaves not to taste bitter, it is necessary, a couple of weeks before harvesting, to cover the celery from the sun or simply cover it with earth.

I hope you take my advice and the celery leaves you grow will not taste bitter. : )

Then I had the following questions: What to do with celery leaves? How to preserve grown leaves of leaf or petiole celery? How to use them for food? What dishes are celery leaves used in?

After spending a lot of time, looking at a bunch of blogs and other useful information on the Internet, I realized that many people ask these questions, but there are no detailed answers. But still, I was able to find answers to some questions and tried to summarize them. So:

Main varieties

In Russia, celery began to be grown relatively recently. This may be why the selection of varieties is relatively small. Among them, the most famous are:

1. Malachite. This is the stem celery with the shortest growing season. Literally 80 days from the moment the sprouts appear, the juicy petioles are ready for consumption.
2. Gold. This variety ripens within 5 months. Its distinctive feature is that the stems have practically no voids inside.
3. Pascal. Dark green petioles about 22 centimeters high appear after 100 days.
4. Triumph. After 130 days, the petioles of a pleasant emerald color can be used for food.
5. Tango is a variety with increased productivity. True, this takes about six months. But by the time they ripen, the tender and very fragrant stems acquire an original bluish-green hue.

Any of these varieties, with proper care, will certainly please the housewife with a good harvest.

What to do with celery leaves? In what dishes should I use it?

1. Add to soups. Toss in the leaves a few minutes before the dish is ready. It turns out beautiful and fragrant.
2. Use when preparing various dishes in pots.
3. Use as a substitute for cilantro in some recipes. For those who hate cilantro, this is just a great idea! Do you think celery leaves are a good substitute for cilantro? Write in the comments!
4. Add to salads. There are many recipes for salads with celery leaves. And sometimes it’s even one of the main ingredients!
5. And finally, my great way to preserve celery. Dry the leaves.

Use in cooking

All parts of this vegetable can be used for cooking. Nevertheless, recipes with stem celery are of the greatest interest for home use. Juicy and fleshy petioles are often fried, baked, stuffed or used to prepare various salads. Their spicy, salty taste with a slight bitterness goes well with fish, meat or other vegetables. In addition, it is from the fleshy stems that juice is squeezed out, which is very beneficial for health. There are recipes with stem celery that do not require special skills. For example, consider the simplest chicken salad. To work you will need the following set of products:

- for 450 grams of boiled breast, 1 stalk of celery, a little salt, 125 grams of sour cream, 1 grapefruit, 50 grams of peanuts, a teaspoon of lemon zest and black pepper.

Method for preparing the salad:

1. Cut the grapefruit breast and pulp into cubes. You must first remove the seeds from the citrus fruit and clean its slices from the films.
2. Chop the celery thinly.
3. Mix the products in a deep bowl.
4. Prepare the sauce. To do this, add zest, salt, a little pepper to the sour cream and beat it all well.
5. Season the mixture of products with fresh sauce.
6. For extra flavor, add roasted chopped peanuts.

This salad looks very impressive and can decorate any table.

What types of celery are there?

There are three varieties of celery. The first one is leafy. It is distinguished by an undeveloped root; its main parts are green leaves rich in essential oils. It is often used in food - in soups and salads. To choose the right leaf celery, it is recommended to pay attention to the color of the leaves - the color should be rich, and the plant should be fresh and elastic. Plus, good celery has a smell.

The next variety is petiole. It also does not have a developed root, but the stems are fleshy and can reach four centimeters in thickness. It is mainly used in stews and salads, and is well suited for fresh juices. Good stem celery should be meaty, with a characteristic crunch heard when the stems are broken.

Root celery is distinguished by a root crop reaching twenty centimeters in diameter. The best choice is a vegetable that is firm and smooth to the touch and does not leave marks when pressed.

Selection tips suitable for all types of celery, which can be seen in the photo:

• It is recommended to buy unpeeled vegetables, as they retain their taste and beneficial properties longer;
• The vegetable should not be sprouted; after the seeds appear, it becomes bitter.

What is celery?

Celery is a biennial herbaceous plant whose stems and roots are suitable for food use. Its use in medicine and cosmetology is known.

How and where does it grow?

Celery is grown in different countries together with other vegetable crops. In the wild, it can be found on the American continents or in the Mediterranean. This plant is unpretentious, tolerates different weather well, loves moist soil. You can easily grow celery in your own garden.

Types of celery

There are 17 species of this plant in total, but the most famous one is celery. It is available in three varieties: leaf, root and petiole celery, depending on which part of the plant will be used. Fleshy roots, succulent stems and green leaves are valuable.

Taste and smell

The vegetable has a bright, rich taste and characteristic aroma, which may vaguely resemble parsley or cilantro, but are more tart and sharp.

Chemical composition and benefits of the plant

Celery contains a huge amount of useful organic substances. It is worth highlighting acids that are important for human health: omega-6, myristic, palmitic, oleic, oxalic, etc. It is also rich in flavonoids, purines and oils.

Vitamin content in the plant:

• thiamine;
• riboflavin;
• choline;
• pantothenic acid;
• pyridoxine;
• folic acid;
• ascorbic acid;
• vitamin E, K;
• niacin.

It contains a lot of macro- and microelements - potassium, calcium, iron, manganese and others.

Useful properties of stems

The content of substances in different parts of the plant is not the same. Hence the different properties. For example, the stems are recommended to be used for:

• treatment of gastrointestinal diseases;
• strengthening the urinary system;
• removing excess fluid from the body;
• prevention of cancer;
• suppression of tumor growth;
• reducing blood glucose levels;
• reducing blood pressure;
• normalization of the nervous system;
• enhancing the ability to concentrate and remember information;
• stimulation of the immune response.

What are the benefits of leaves?

Leaf celery has the following benefits:

• preventing the formation and destruction of kidney stones;
• prevention of vitamin deficiency;
• stimulation of intestinal function;
• normalization of the functioning of the reproductive system, especially in men;
• prevention of impotence and infertility in men;
• strengthening arteries, veins, capillaries;
• prevention of atherosclerosis, rheumatism, gastritis, diseases of the respiratory system;
• elimination of overwork, stress and sleep disorders;
• stimulation of regeneration processes;
• general strengthening of the body.

Medicinal properties of celery root

Celery root also brings great benefits to the human body:

• slowing down the aging process by stimulating the synthesis of collagen protein;
• immunomodulatory effect;
• improving nutrition and oxygen supply to body cells;
• preventing tissue poisoning by toxins;
• stimulation of wound healing;
• tonic effect;
• prevention of visual disorders;
• improving the functioning of the digestive system;
• removal of excess salts and water;
• strengthening the nervous system;
• normalization of stool;
• reducing the amount of sugar;
• elimination of vitamin deficiency;
• increased sexual desire in men.

How to properly peel celery?

To get the maximum benefit from consuming the plant, you need to know how to properly peel celery. However, it is worth paying attention not only to cleaning, but also to preparing the vegetable for use in general. The leaves should be separated and washed, dried, finely chopped and used as a seasoning.

Be sure to peel the root before eating it, as the peel contains a large amount of chemicals. It is recommended to clean it as follows:

1. Remove dirt from the root crop using a wire brush or similar device.
2. The upper and lower parts of the root crop are cut off.
3. The root must be cut into 4 parts. Use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to cut off a thin layer of peel, immediately removing black spots and other defective areas. As a result, the pieces should be white.
4. The tasteless soft pulp is then removed. It can be left if celery is eaten by people with digestive disorders or those who want to lose weight.
5. The pieces are washed, cut, and filled with water.

You can see in more detail what preparing celery looks like and how to clean it in the video below. It is not advisable to eat unpeeled vegetables.

Growing and caring for the garden

Further care for vegetables in open ground consists of hilling, watering, removing weeds, and loosening the soil.

By taking care of celery, you can rest assured about the harvest.

Features of watering

When growing, petiole celery requires a large amount of water. In dry weather, the calculation is based on 20 liters per square of soil. But it is important not to overwater the plants. When they are overwatered, they become susceptible to fungal infections. And drying out provokes cracking of the stems, their fibrousness, and the formation of empty cavities. Overmoistening, as well as drying out, reduces the taste of celery.

Weeding and fertilizing

Stem celery is fed for the first time when the plants grow and become stronger. Use complex fertilizers for vegetables as a top dressing or mix 20 grams of ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, and potassium salt yourself. The resulting composition is dissolved in 10 liters of water. Feed the plants by watering strictly at the roots. You need to re-feed celery when it actively begins to grow. The plants are fed a third time when the stems begin to strengthen.

You can do complex feeding of celery in a different proportion. Take 15 g of potassium chloride and urea, add 50 g of superphosphate to them. Mix and add 10 liters of water.

It is imperative to fertilize celery with organic matter. Take one part bird droppings, 10 parts water and 2 parts slurry. Everything is mixed and applied to the plants. A liter of solution per square of soil is required. The vegetable is fed with mineral fertilizers, manure, humus, and ash. It is best to purchase fertilizers that contain potassium and nitrogen in equal quantities.

Weeding between rows is necessary to prevent the appearance of slugs. The soil is cultivated while weeding around young plants to a depth of 5 cm and to a depth of 15 cm near adults. To prevent moisture evaporation, the soil near the plants is mulched with grass, straw, peat, and sawdust.

Bleaching petioles

After this procedure, the stems become sweetish, juicy, crispy, and the bitterness disappears from them. Petiole celery is often bleached by hilling.

Whitening process

3 weeks before digging up the vegetables, first fix the leaf rosette with soil, gradually sprinkle the bush halfway with damp soil and then almost cover the plants to the top, without filling the base from which the leaves emerge. But with this method, the bleached stems will have an unpleasant earthy taste.

According to another method, 20 days before harvesting, the stems are carefully tied into bunches and wrapped in dark-colored paper. Self-bleaching varieties do not require such actions. Caring for them is much easier; they only need watering, fertilizing and weeding.

Protection and methods of controlling diseases and pests

The petiole crop is prone to many diseases, so you need to take care of its protection in advance. The most common diseases of petiole celery include:

Celery with signs of damage

1. Septoria . It appears as yellow spots on leaves and stems, similar to burns. Without treatment, the leaves dry out and the stems break off. To prevent the spread of septoria, plants are treated with Fundazol a month before harvest. And after harvesting the celery, they spill the same product on the soil, since the pathogen can exist in it for up to 3 years and immediately attacks the plants when wet weather sets in.
2. Cucumber mosaic . The disease is caused by aphids and ticks that carry the virus. The mosaic appears as rings of different diameters. To prevent the remaining plantings from being affected by the viral disease, it is recommended to destroy diseased plants. And take measures to destroy mites and aphids.
3. Brown rust . The disease manifests itself as dark red spots with a rusty tint on the leaves and petioles of celery, which quickly dry out. Treatment is carried out with Fundazol. For preventive purposes, seedlings are treated with Baktofit or Fitosporin before planting in open areas.
4. Downy mildew . The fungal disease manifests itself as whitish spots with small black spots. Occurs in plants on acidified soils. As a result of the disease, celery rots and dies. Prevention is liming of the soil and disinfection.
5. Cerosporosis . It manifests itself, like septoria, as burn spots, only of a light color. They get rid of it by destroying diseased plants. The rest are treated with Fitosporin. Before planting, seedlings are treated with this drug.

A frequent pest of petiole celery is the carrot psyllid , which sucks the juices of the plant. As a result, it stops growing and the leaves curl. Treatment with infusion of tobacco dust helps against psyllids. A kilogram of dust is infused in 10 liters of water for a day, filtered, and 30 g of laundry soap shavings are added. You can dust the soil near the plantings once a week with a mixture of tobacco dust and river sand in equal proportions.

Another pest is the bean aphid . As a result of its parasitism, the leaves curl and the plants die. When a carrot fly celery, the leaves become reddish or yellow and droop. To prevent attacks, thyme, nasturtium, and marigolds are planted next to celery plantings, the smell of which repels harmful insects.

Recommendations for consumption

There are definitely people who eat celery because they like the taste of the vegetable. However, the vast majority begin to eat celery when they become ill or need to lose weight.

Depending on the purposes, the methods of consuming the plant also change - raw, stewed and boiled, in the form of juices, decoctions, etc.

For the purpose of treatment

The first recipe will be useful for the treatment of rheumatism and other joint diseases. You need to take a tablespoon of root, pour a glass of boiled water over it and leave to steam for four hours. Use as compresses.

To get rid of allergies, a cold tincture is used. Pour two large spoons of finely chopped root vegetables into a glass of water at room temperature and leave overnight. Take 1/3 cup three times a day before meals.

To stabilize blood glucose levels, take 20 grams of the root and pour a glass of hot water. Boil the mixture for fifteen minutes, cool and take three large spoons before meals.

Celery-based ointment heals wounds and helps with burns. To prepare it, pass the plant through a meat grinder and mix with melted butter in a 1:1 ratio.

Diet food

There are diets based on this vegetable. However, doctors do not recommend making your own decision to use such weight loss methods. This is very dangerous for health, and is also fraught with the rapid return of weight when switching to a normal diet. For weight loss, proper nutrition is recommended, within which celery dishes are allowed.

Chicken breast salad with apples. Boil 1/4 kg of meat, chop, add to 200 g of chopped celery and the same amount of apples. Mix with 150 g of sweet pepper, 200 g of tomatoes, 100 g of onions. Salt and add seasonings to taste, add lemon juice and season with sour cream or olive oil if desired.

Root cutlets. Pass 0.5 kg of root vegetables, 100 g of onions, 100 g of carrots, 100 g of potatoes, garlic through a meat grinder. Add egg and spices to the resulting mixture. Form the minced meat into cutlets, roll in breadcrumbs, and fry in olive oil.

Celery juice also promotes weight loss, as it removes excess fluid and toxins from the body. It is taken three times a day 30 minutes before meals, two large spoons.

How to cook properly

All parts of the plant have different uses. Raw petioles with a strong aroma are added to salads and sauces, and meat and vegetables are decorated with herbs.

Soups and side dishes are prepared from the roots and stems. In some countries, pickles and marinades cannot be done without it. The leaves are used as a spice in fresh and dried form. Celery seeds are a favorite among spicy food lovers.

One thing is important: the spice for any dish is selected based on the taste differences of each part of the vegetable.

Puree

Celery root puree is a dish for those who want to lose weight. It is made in combination with carrots, apples or without them:

• root - 700 g;
• water or broth - 50 ml;
• olive oil - 2 tbsp. l.;
• garlic - 2 small cloves;
• fresh dill - to taste;
• salt - ¼ tsp.

Preparation:

1. Peel the celery.
2. Cut into cubes and cook until tender.
3. Drain in a colander.
4. Place the root in a blender.
5. Add the remaining broth from cooking and olive oil.
6. Add chopped dill and salt.
7. Beat well.

The finished puree is decorated with pomegranate seeds. You can add black pepper and lemon juice.

Pickled vegetable

In many cuisines around the world, pickled celery is a delicious snack and sandwich filling. Most often the petioles and leaves are pickled.

French cuisine offers the following composition of products:

• celery stalks - 400-500 g;
• broth after cooking celery - 3-4 tbsp. l.;
• apple cider vinegar or lemon juice - 3-4 tbsp. l.;
• olive oil - 2 tbsp. l.;
• mustard - 2 tsp;
• chopped capers - 2 tbsp. l.;
• basil leaves - to taste;
• salt - 1/4 tsp. and a little pepper;
• peeled seeds - 2-3 tbsp. l. (optional).

Preparation:

1. Rinse the plant.
2. Remove fibrous parts of stems.
3. Cut into thin strips.
4. Boil for 5-8 minutes in boiling water.
5. Drain the water into a separate container.
6. Mix everything and pour the marinade over the celery.
7. Let it brew for 2 hours.

You can serve it immediately, or you can store it in the refrigerator and use it as needed, adding apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, and radishes. Sandwiches are sprinkled with grated egg.

Cream soup

The recipe for one of the most common dietary soups includes stem celery or its root. The soup is easy to prepare, but tasty and healthy. Products needed:

• root - 700 g;
• potatoes - 2 pcs.;
• onion - 1 pc.;
• butter - 30 g;
• garlic - 2 cloves;
• white wine - 50 ml;
• vegetable or beef broth - 1 l;
• salt, white pepper (to taste).

Preparation:

1. Dice celery, onion and potatoes.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan, fry onion, celery and garlic.
3. Pour wine into the contents and after 2-3 minutes add potatoes and broth.
4. Boil the celery for 30 minutes and then puree in a blender.
5. Season with salt, black pepper or a mixture of green, pink and white pepper.
6. Add croutons and serve.

You can make creamy soup from the stems of the plant. It contains the same components, only instead of the root, 4-5 plant stems are taken, which need to be peeled, cut and fried along with onions, potatoes and carrots. Cook the stem vegetable for less time: about 20 minutes.

Casserole

This dish is vegetarian. It will take more time than cream soup, but it's worth it.

Ingredients:

• celery root - 700 g;
• hard cheese - 100 g;
• green onion feathers - 4 pcs.
• flour - 3 tbsp. l.;
• warmed milk - 350 ml;
• ground nutmeg - 1 tsp;
• vegetable oil - 1 tbsp. l.

Preparation:

1. Cut the root into thin slices.
2. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and blanch celery until soft.
3. Drain the water and place the slices in a pan greased with vegetable oil.
4. Place finely chopped green onions in a frying pan and simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Sprinkle with flour and sauté for 1 minute.
6. Gradually pour in the milk and bring the contents to a boil.
7. Add 30 g cheese, nuts, salt and pepper.
8. Pour the resulting mass onto the root slices.
9. Sprinkle with remaining cheese
10. Bake in the oven at +180°C until golden brown.

The casserole can be served both as an appetizer and as a main course.

Salads

To prepare a salad with celery, greens and stems are most often used. Celery is used as a base ingredient or a flavorful addition to other vegetables.

The simplest recipe includes onions, radishes, cucumbers and tomatoes, and other vegetables that are mixed with the stems. Before this, you need to thoroughly peel the celery and blanch for 2-3 minutes. You can cut the stems for salad as desired. For young petioles, heat treatment is not necessary.

Everything is seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice and salt to taste.

You can make a salad from 1 root vegetable and 3 apples, which are grated. Quickly pour 2 tbsp over everything. l. lemon juice so that the components do not darken, mix with mayonnaise (2 tablespoons), salt and add parsley. It is better to take an apple that is slightly sour.

Smoothie

Celery juice and drinks with it are considered an immune stimulant and nectar for a slim figure. It stimulates weight loss and keeps the body toned. The substances it contains maintain youthful skin and inhibit the appearance of wrinkles.

For smoothies, the most fleshy and juicy part is used - the stems. Despite the strong taste, they are combined with parsley, kiwi and apple.

Ingredients;

• plant stems - 2 pcs.;
• kiwi - 1 pc.;
• apple - 1 pc.;
• small bunch of parsley - 1 pc.;
• honey - 1 tsp;
• still mineral water - 150 ml.

Preparation:

1. Wash the stems, cut into pieces and place in a blender bowl.
2. Rinse the parsley under running water, chop and place in a cup.
3. Pour a little water, beat lightly.
4. Add the rest of the water, beat.
5. Perform the same operations with apple and kiwi.
6. Add honey.

It is better not to drink the drink in the morning because the digestive system is not ready for full-fledged work. But it is suitable as a second breakfast or snack. This drink is not prepared for future use.

Contraindications for use

Celery is used in the fight against kidney stones, but if the stones are large and the disease is advanced, it is not recommended to use it. This disease requires consultation with a specialist before using the vegetable.

The root vegetable has a high oil content, so it should be used with caution by patients with colitis. There are other contraindications:

• thrombophlebitis;
• varicose veins;
• epilepsy;
• internal bleeding;
• bloating;
• allergic reaction.

It is necessary to use the vegetable carefully when breastfeeding, as it changes the taste of milk. There is a chance that the baby will refuse the breast. Pregnant women should also carefully introduce celery into their diet, as the plant contains compounds that stimulate the muscles of the uterus.

Useful properties and contraindications

Celery is known not only as a food product, but also as a natural medicine. The benefits and harms of the plant have long been studied. It can be used as an adjuvant therapy for various ailments, the main thing is not to harm yourself, remembering the contraindications.

Benefits of celery

Fresh vegetables are rich in vitamin C, a natural antioxidant. Consuming this vitamin helps increase immunity and resistance to colds.

Vitamins A, K, B, magnesium, potassium and dietary fiber help tidy up the nervous system, heart and blood vessels. In its raw form, the plant helps with hypertension, reduces swelling, stimulating the removal of excess fluid, and charges the body with vigor and energy.

The low calorie content and abundance of fiber make the product a frequent guest in various diets; its consumption helps improve metabolism and reduce weight.

Also, the plant is credited with such an amazing property as negative calorie content. It is believed that the body spends more calories digesting this vegetable than it absorbs from it.

People suffering from diabetes are recommended to replace potatoes in their diet with celery root, which is more beneficial due to its low glycemic index.

Harm and dangerous properties

People with kidney disease, exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases and varicose veins should use the product with caution. It is recommended to avoid dishes with this ingredient during breastfeeding and pregnancy.

An absolute contraindication is an allergy to the product.