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Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Did you know that… ?
  1. Trigonella foenum-graecum is a plant up to 50 cm high, with a very strong root system?
  2. …fenugreek translates from Latin as "Greek hay"?
  3. …fenugreek is an important ingredient in spice mixes such as curry, in which it has a 15% to 20% volume, also Brahmin vegetarian mixes for legumes, the Bulgarian mix "čubrica", the mix "chmeli-sumeli", Arabian "adzika" and Armenian and Turkish paste mix "cemen", sprinkled on dry meat, along with garlic and paprika?
  4. …fenugreek increases energy, since it is rich in copper and iron?
  5. …fenugreek aids red blood cell growth, and such cells are then better oxygenated and nourished?
  6. …fenugreek is also cultivated as cattle feed, since it aids lactation and digestion?
  7. …in the Orient, young women regularly consume fenugreek seeds to enhance the appearance of their breasts?
  8. …in Arab countries, a concoction made of ground and roasted fenugreek seeds boiled in milk is sold as a bodybuilding drink?
  9. …fenugreek as a spice consists of fresh and dried leaves, and dried, whole or ground seeds of the Trigonella foenum-graecum plant?
Fenugreek seeds
Recipe

Fried squash slices

1 teaspoon butter
1 onion
500 g grated squash (or zucchini)
100 g grated cheese
3 eggs
2 cloves garlic
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon kalonji
½ teaspoon ground fenugreek
lard for frying, salt, pepper, (flour, breadcrumbs)

Sauté onion, sliced garlic and spices in oil. Add coarsely grated squash (or zucchini) to onion mix, along with cheese, eggs and salt. If mixture is runny, add 2-3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs or flour. Heat oil in a pan and drop in spoonfuls of mixture. Fry on both sides until golden brown. It is a differently spiced version of our Czech potato patties. Patties may also be made of potatoes, or "Gigant" kohlrabi.

Story

Fenugreek is one of the oldest known healing plants and is mentioned as early as the Ebers Papyrus, 2000 BC. Ancient Egyptians used plasters of fenugreek to lower fevers. It was widely used during Charlemagne's time. In Ancient Greece, philosophers and their students consumed fenugreek seeds roasted in barley oil to "help them think".