Healing with Food Newsletter
Burdock
Imagine the sweet flavor of artichoke hearts and you’ll almost have the taste of burdock. This tap root burdock has a gorgeous chocolate brown skin and its creamy white flesh is somewhat fibrous. It grows up to two feet long, yet remains as slender as a carrot. Cook it like you would a carrot in any soup, stew or stir fry.
In addition to its great woodsy and earthy flavor, I value burdock for its phenomenal medicinal properties. You can rank it right up there in the “good for almost whatever ails you” category.
Burdock is universally regarded as a blood cleanser, kidney tonic and potent detoxifier. It contains inulin and so helps stabilize blood sugar metabolism, supports the digestive system and reduces excess fat.
Dried burdock is found in countless arthritis, liver and kidney herbal formulas and is said to ameliorate numerous other conditions.
Throughout many parts of the world, including the U.S., burdock thrives as a common weed. You may also purchase its seeds from a catalog; it’s an easy plant to grow, as is attested by my 10-foot row. Burdock foragers and gardeners be forewarned, however, for harvesting burdock is not like pulling up a radish. Burdock is an incredibly tenacious root that demands serious digging. The burdock man at my Grower’s Market uses a backhoe. (that’s not a hand-held hoe, but a diesel-fueled machine).
Burdock seeds are equally obstinate and cling to socks and sweaters after an autumn stroll through open fields. In 1949, Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral invented Velcro after looking closely at these burdock cockle burs stuck in his socks.
You'll find burdock in many large natural food stores and Asian markets. Purchase roots that are firm, plump and fresh looking and bypass those that are withered or soft.
I ignore recipe instructions that say to peel or scrub off its dark, mineral-rich skin. Simply scrub the root and then cut into desired size and cook it as you would a carrot.
For two different burdock recipes and additional information about this valuable vegetable, search our site for "burdock".
May you be well nourished!
Rebecca Wood