Parsley - More Than Just A Garnish!

Parsley gets a bum rap. At worst, people see it as a pretty garnish on the side of their plates. At best, they may use it here and there, from time-to-time, as a seasoning. This is so unfair, both to us and the parsley, because this modest unassuming herb is actually a superhero of the of the food world.

No really I kid you not. Parsley is on the World's Healthiest Foods list. You don't get on this list unless you are one of those miraculous foods that can have a real impact on health. Parsley fits that description perfectly! It is a real nutritional power house. Just one 2 tablespoon serving is considered an excellent source of vitamins K, C and A; and a good source of folate and iron.

Even more health boosting benefits of this herb:

1. It is a rich source of anti-oxident nutrients, most noteabley vitamin C & vitamin A. Antioxidants render harmless otherwise dangerous free radicals in the water-soluble areas of the body.
2. Vitamin C may also be helpful in reducing the severity of asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Vitamin A further adds support to our immune system, strengthening our ability to fight disease and infection.
4. Parsley is also high in folic acid, which promotes good cardiovscular health.
5. In addition folic acid aids in proper cell division, a strong factor in cancer prevention.

It is obviously time to stop treating parsley as a garnish and make it a food choice for good nutrition. In other words, we need to start using this herb in our everyday meals for more than just a little flavor or its good looks. It is not as difficult as you might think, remember just 2 tablespoons equals a serving.

First we need to talk about the two basic types of parsley out there. First there is the curly variety, the one prized as plate garnish. Then there is the flat leaf variety better known as a seasoning. Flat leaf parsley is also known as Italian parsley, it is a more fragrant and less bitter herb than the curly variety. Italian parsley is the one best suited to your culinary needs, where flavor really counts.

Getting those 2 tablespoons is easy. Simply, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley leaves on buttered noodles, rice, potatoes, cooked vegetables and salads. You can also add it to soups and stews. Wait until just before serving to add it, this will help preserve the nutrients that cooking can remove.

So there you have it, this humble herb is really a anti-oxident, nutrient rich powerhouse, an unsung hero of the food world. There is so much more I could tell you about parsley - like how easy it is to grow, both in the garden and indoors. Not to mention the recipes I have for it... well stay tuned and I will do just that in articles to come.

If you want to know more about the nutritional value of parsley and other healthy foods, check out the World's Healthiest Foods website.

Happy gardening from Jungle Joella!

Download a PDF copy of this tutorial. Opens in a new window.