The winters are here and so are our cravings for winter delicacies. Green and leafy vegetables are an intrinsic part of our winter diet. The seasonal veggies are prepared across winter months in a variety of ways.
From soups, stews, curries to juices, winter greens are a hit in every avatar. One winter leafy delight we cannot wait to gorge on is mustard greens or sarso leaves. Mustard greens are leaves of mustard plants. In parts of Punjab and North India, sarso ka saag is a winter staple.
It is a vegetarian dish, which is made using seasonal mustard leaves along with other leafy veggies like bathua (Chenopodium or pigweed), spinach and radish leaves. It is very popularly used in salads around the world. “They range from bright green to deep purple and are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, and can help detoxify the body and lower “unhealthy” (LDL) cholesterol”, notes the book ‘Healing Foods’ by DK Publishing House.
It contains iron, calcium, vitamin A, C, K and E, along with phytonutrients such as phenols. Experts say that they are also effective in managing diabetes.
