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Cress, including watercress, is a peppery vegetable used in salads, herb blends, and compound butters. It is easy to grow and all parts of the plant are edible. When selecting watercress, look for evenly colored specimens and refrigerate for up to five days. Growing watercress is easy and can be harvested within five days of sowing.
Cress is a general name for a number of related peppery vegetables in the mustard family. These greens are used in herb blends, salads, and compound butters, among other things. Many species are very easy to grow and make great decorative garden plants as well as a food source. Greengrocers and some markets may also contain watercress, although they can be extremely perishable, so should only be purchased when needed.
Several different plants are considered watercress, including cress and penny cress. One species, Lepidium sativum, is more cultivated than others. This species is also called garden cress, pepper cress, chilli or garden pepper cress. As the names suggest, this plant has a sharp, pungent flavor that is quite distinctive and quite spicy. Some people also use the name nasturtium.
As a general rule, all parts of a plant are edible. Most people use the leaves, as they are full of iron, calcium, folic acid, and vitamins C and A. The stems, flowers, and seeds of the plants are still edible. In some cases, cooks use whole immature seedlings for a unique flavor, look and texture. Typically, it’s used in relatively small quantities, because the peppery flavor can become overwhelming. Especially in the Old World, watercress is a very common inclusion in salads and sandwiches, as the unique, savory flavor makes for a more vibrant dish.
When selecting watercress, look for rich green, evenly colored, evenly colored specimens. Avoid plants with any signs of slime, wilting, or discoloration. Can be refrigerated in plastic for up to five days. To extend the life a bit, place the stems in a glass filled with water and bag the glass, refrigerating it until needed. Leave the greens on the stems until ready to use and wash them before using to remove any residual dirt and other materials.
Growing up is extraordinarily easy. Soak the cotton ball or peat moss in water and place it in a pot. Sprinkle the seeds on top and keep them well watered until they start to sprout. Keep the plant in a bright area, but out of direct sunlight, and keep watering. As it matures, you can harvest the entire young leaves or let the plant grow to a larger size so it develops large, peppery leaves. Watercress will be usable within about five days of sowing.
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