Low in calories, high in antioxidants, and super rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, we all wait for a variety of root vegetables that arrive at the onset of winter. Amongst many of them replete with an array of vitamins, minerals, and several other nutrients is celeriac, a root veggie closely related to celery, parsley, and parsnips. Scientifically called 'Apium graveolens var rapaceum', it also goes by a few other names like turnip-rooted celery, knob celery, or celery root. The article deals with health benefits, culinary uses, and delicious recipes that you can make from this rugged root tuber. Rich in antioxidants and nutrients, it offers impressive health benefits, such as improved digestion, managing blood sugar, upkeep of bone and heart, and anticancer effects.
celeriac

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This knobbly root vegetable is often overlooked at the supermarket, because of it being so alien-looking with no so pleasing appearance. Abrown mass with all the weird little roots sticking out, celeriac though neither appears easy to work with nor enjoyable to taste, but the tuber is pretty special. Raw, celeriac has fantastic crunch and a super nutty that makes it perfect for salads and slaws. Celeriac is worth cooking and you can treat it like any root veggie. Feel free to boil or roast it like potatoes or mash it with other root vegetables. When cooked, the sweetness it has works well and adds up to celeriac being an extraordinarily versatile vegetable. There is no doubt this tuber is worth adding to your winter meal plan. 

Top Health Benefits Of Celeriac

Here is what it brings on board when it comes to health incentives:

  • It is a plentiful source of Vitamin C which can help support skin and heart health.
  • People who are looking to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight can choose celeriac as a low-carb alternative to potato
  • Like celery root, celeriac is an excellent source of vitamin K providing 50% of the daily value in every 100g of its root. This vitamin helps to clot blood easily and decrease the risk of bone fractures 
  • The presence of antioxidants in this vegetable can help to fight free radicals and prevent the body from many mild to chronic diseases
  • Increasing dietary fiber can prevent constipation and benefit gut health.

Also Read: Purple Yam: Health Benefits, Nutrition, And Recipes Of This Brightly Vegetable

A Pro Tip

Use a good knife to cut celeriac top parts and then continue around the celeriac slicing off the rest of the skin. Feel free to cut chunks, slices, or strips depending on how you are making it. Be aware that celeriac discolours very quickly so once sliced you will have to immerse the celeriac pieces into a bowl of water with a squeeze of lemon juice. Even a splash of white vinegar will do wonders. Here is a super easy way to cook celeriac and get a dose of incredible flavor and immense nutrition. 

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vegetable

Celeriac Bhaji

Ingredients:

  • 500 grams large celeriac cleaned and chopped
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • Half tsp cumin seeds
  • Half tsp fennel seeds
  • ½ tsp black mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium onion
  • Few garlic clove
  • 1-inch ginger
  • 3 whole green chilies
  • ¼ tsp turmeric
  • A bunch of cilantro leaves for garnish
  • Lemon juice to squeeze

Method:

Clean, peel, and cut the celeriac 

With a sharp knife, chop off small finer roots at the base of the celeriac

With a peeler remove to soft brown skin

Heat oil in a large fry pan

Add the chunks of celeriac 

Salt well as it will help to draw the moisture out

Fry celeriac until golden brown for about twenty minutes stirring occasionally until it turns crispy golden brown

Keep aside

Add salt and pepper 

Fry onions, garlic, and ginger in another pan

Add the spices and chillies

Garnish with cilantro and serve

Drizzle with fresh lemon juice

Nutrition:

A low-carb potato veggie replacement, this easy-to-make ‘sabzi’ has all the ingredients that provide ample nutrition. Celeriac has ample fiber that augments gut health and aids digestion. The presence of antioxidants helps to fight oxidative stress and keeps the body free of harmful free radicals. The presence of minerals helps to keep the bones in good health and prevents bone loss and bone-related ailments at bay.