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Home » Vegetables » Root Vegetables » Black Salsify

Black Salsify

Black salsify

Black salsify. Goldlocki / wikimedia / 2007 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Black salsify is a white, waxy-fleshed root vegetable with very dark brown skin.

It is not actually related to salsify despite the name.

It is somewhat carrot-shaped, though without the broad shoulders that carrots will usually develop at the top.

Black salsify is similar to salsify because it is similar in how you how you plant it, how it grows, what it tastes like and how you cook it. The texture, though, is finer than that of actual salsify.

Black salsify has black skin. Above ground, its leaves are spiny and broad. Though it is usually sold with the tops off, the leaves can be used as a salad green.

Black salsify leaves above ground

Black salsify leaves above ground. Goldlocki / wikimedia / 2007 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Cooking Tips

Scrub. Don’t cut unless very large. Peel, then boil for 30 minutes. Cook 1 kg (2 pounds) for 6 people. It will discolour when peeled or cut, so either work quickly or place into water with some lemon juice as you proceed.

If you find it fiddly to peel, you can cook then peel. If you go this route, reheat after peeling either in a steamer or microwave.

After it is cooked, to serve you can toss in lemon juice, or mash with a bit of butter and cream, and then top with some grated cheese and breadcrumbs and then bake a bit.

Other names

AKA: Spanish salsify, Black oyster plant, Serpent root, Viper's herb, Viper's grass
Scientific Name: Scorzonera hispanica
Italian: Scorzonera
French: Salsifie noire, Scorsonère
German: Schwarzwurzel
Dutch: Scorseneer
Spanish: Salsifí negro, Escorzonera, Salsifí de España, Tarinetes
Portuguese: Escorcioneira, Salsifi negro

This page first published: Dec 26, 2003 · Updated: Dec 3, 2020.

This web site generates income from affiliated links and ads at no cost to you to fund continued research · Information on this site is Copyright © 2023· Feel free to cite correctly, but copying whole pages for your website is content theft and will be DCMA'd.

Tagged With: Root Vegetables

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