Planta de comer? Conheça as PANCs e aprenda como cultivar

Summary

This video introduces viewers to the world of 'unconventional edible plants,' often overlooked but highly nutritious and rustic species that can enrich daily diets. The host highlights several unique plants, such as Ora Pro Nobis, Caruru, Jambu, and others, explaining their uses in cooking, health benefits, and cultural significance. These plants, often considered weeds, offer an alternative to traditional foods, are easy to grow, and have diverse culinary applications. With a mix of practical gardening tips and plant-based recipes, the video encourages exploring these lesser-known, yet fascinating, edibles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Unconventional edible plants, also known as 'punks,' have become increasingly popular in recent years, with books like 'Unconventional Edible Plants' by Rare Lorenzie introducing many of these plants.
• 😀 These plants are highly nutritious, rustic, and often considered weeds, such as caruru, ora-pro-nóbis, and jambu, making them excellent candidates for inclusion in everyday diets.
• 😀 'Ora pro nobis' (pray for us) is a popular plant in Minas Gerais, known for its rich vegetable protein content, often referred to as 'poor man's meat.' It can be used in various recipes, including stews and pastas.
• 😀 Ora-pro-nóbis is a cactus with leaves that can be eaten, and its flowers, berries, and leaves are all edible, though the plant has small thorns that require caution when harvesting.
• 😀 The jambu plant, famous in the North of Brazil, is used in dishes like Tacacá and provides a unique sensation by numbing the mouth when eaten, which is a highly distinct feature of the plant.
• 😀 Nasturtium is another punk plant with edible flowers, leaves, and seeds, often used in salads and as a false caper when the seeds are preserved.
• 😀 Plants like chaya, a nutritious shrub, sorrel, and coriander (especially popular in the North and Northeast of Brazil) are also part of the unconventional food plant category, offering a wide variety of uses in cooking.
• 😀 The 'blue pea' or 'blue fairy' vine (Clitoria ternatea) has edible flowers that can be used to color teas, drinks, and even pastas, providing a unique visual and flavor experience.
• 😀 The fish plant (Roltunia) offers an interesting way to flavor broths, acting as both a culinary and medicinal plant with its distinct fish-like smell.
• 😀 Unconventional plants like arrowroot, bertalha, and rainbow chard offer a wide range of nutritious options for gardens and kitchens, with arrowroot even being used to make cookies and as a natural remedy for diaper rash.

Q & A

What are unconventional edible plants?

Unconventional edible plants are plants that are not commonly found in everyday diets or sold in stores. They are highly nutritious, rustic, and often considered weeds. These plants can be used to create a variety of foods, such as sauces, jams, juices, and even pasta.

What is the significance of the book 'Unconventional Edible Plants' by Rare Lorenzie?

The book 'Unconventional Edible Plants' by Rare Lorenzie played a major role in popularizing these types of plants. It helped bring attention to the nutritional value and versatility of these plants, contributing to the growing interest in them over the past decade.

Why is Ora-pro-nóbis called the 'poor man's meat'?

Ora-pro-nóbis is called the 'poor man's meat' because it is rich in vegetable protein, offering an affordable source of protein. While not the sole source of protein, it is a highly nutritious plant that can be easily grown in a garden.

What are some ways Ora-pro-nóbis can be consumed?

Ora-pro-nóbis can be sautéed, added to stews, or included in dishes like free-range chicken, pasta, and even fish dishes. It can also be used raw in some recipes or blanched in hot water to enhance its flavor.

How is Ora-pro-nóbis related to cacti?

Ora-pro-nóbis is actually a type of cactus with leaves. Despite looking like a typical vegetable plant, it belongs to the genus Peresca and has a unique structure, including thorns on its leaves.

What is the Blue Fairy plant and how can it be used?

The Blue Fairy, also known as clitoria ternatea, is a vine whose blue flowers are edible. The flowers can be used in salads, teas, or drinks like Gin and Tonic or Caipirinha. The flowers' pigments change color when mixed with citrus, making them visually stunning.

What is jambu, and what effect does it have on the mouth?

Jambu is a popular plant in the Amazon region, often used in dishes like Tacacá. When consumed, it creates a numbing sensation in the mouth, making the lips and tongue feel slightly anesthetized. This unique sensation is a characteristic feature of jambu.

What are the culinary uses of nasturtium?

Nasturtium is a versatile plant where both its flowers and leaves are edible. The seeds can also be consumed, and the plant is often used in salads, as a garnish, or in teas. The seeds are particularly used to make a caper substitute.

What is Chaia, and what makes it special?

Chaia, also known as Chaya, is a highly nutritious shrub that is gaining popularity for its edible leaves. The leaves are used in salads and known for their slightly sour, acidic taste, adding a unique flavor to dishes.

What is the 'peixinho' plant, and how is it prepared?

The 'peixinho' (little fish) plant is a European-origin plant that has recently gained popularity in Brazil. Its leaves are edible and can be fried in a tempura-style batter for a crunchy snack. The plant's silvery leaves also have aesthetic value in gardens.