One of the oldest known leafy greens to be eaten by humans, watercress is a tiny aquatic member of the Brassicaceae family. As a perennial it grows all year round. In my aquaponics garden where it flourishes, it prefer the months where the sun doesn't sit quite so high in the sky. By late summer it gets a bit yellow (as pictured). Soon it will be a rich dark green once more. It's a part shade lover for sure: I'm basically the same!
The watercress runs amok from one of the deep water culture [DWC] tanks trailing down to the inground sump kissing abundant pineapple sage buzzing with bees. Both are edible for humans, bees and birds alike. It can be ruthlessly harvested and comes back almost instantaneously. All it needs is a fresh supply of water to grow in. Any size container works.
Cress is nutrionally rich and loaded with Vit C & K. As such, it's an excellent immune system supplement and all round green winner.
I love watercress. It's deceptively simple and packs a flavour punch with a delightful peppery flavour. It doesn't need much as an accompaniment. In a salad, I'd typically toss it with lemon juice and maybe some toasted pine nuts scattered with goji berries. A tiny drizzle of olive oil and it's gtg!
The leaves are so delicate but nutrient dense. So much so that it’s ranked number one on the US Centre of Disease Control’s Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables list! Certainly food for thought. When using, choose only the best leaves to go into the blender. My manky ones get divided between the Green Cone solar composter and back to the aquaponics for fish to snack on. Hey closed loop!
For pesto, swap out with any garden greens you have in abundance. I do have basil in the aquaponics & wicking beds this year but typically it's a battle between me, the snails, rats, and possums. I always have cress: the local wildlife didn't get the CDC memo so it tends to be my green star ingredient!
Ingredients:
- Watercress or any other fresh organic greens - a couple of compressed handfuls
2. Nuts (I used cashew for extra creaminess but all kinds work depending on what's in the pantry and vibe you're going for) - a handful of so
3. Olive oil, the best you have - mine's not premium but is organic, many times refilled
4. Garlic - a clove or few :)
5. Sea salt
6. A short sharp squeeze of lemon if you feel like it (not 100% necessary)
NB. Tweak amounts according to taste. Do not, I repeat, do not add the cat!
I kind of poured too much oil in the whole unco effort of taking this action photo... but that's OK. Will just require more crackers/bread to soak up. BYO Carb party!
All the hard part is done. Which wasn't even slightly hard at all. Now for my favourite part: lunch!
Gather preferred ensemble... Welcome to my life/lunch! This cheese is extraordinary BTW. In another life I definitely would have its babies. OK, perhaps another reality also.
Lather pesto over everything. Possibly even your body. Vit C and K steeped in olive oil is great for your skin too. Invite a friend over who loves garlic. Bon appetit!
