Also Known as
Ajmoda, Celery Stalks, Shalari, Ajmud

What is Celery?

Celery has become a common household staple along with carrots, onions and potatoes. Celery grows to a height of 12 to 16 inches and is composed of leaf-topped stalks arranged in a conical shape that are joined at a common base. Celery is a biennial vegetable (meaning it has a normal life cycle of two years) that belongs to the Umbelliferae family, whose other members include carrots, fennel, parsley and dill. The stalks have a crunchy texture and a delicate, but have a mild salty taste. The stalks in the center are called the heart and are tender.

Chopped celery

Wash the celery with water dry using a kitchen towel. Separate out the stalks and leaves. Place all the stalks on the chopping board and cut at regular intervals to get chopped celery.

Sliced celery

Wash the celery with water dry using a kitchen towel. Separate out the stalks and leaves. Place the stalks on the chopping board and cut it vertically from the centre from top to bottom of a stalk to get 2 long pieces. Line both the long pieces together and cut at regula intervals (approx. 2 inches) across the board to get sliced celery.

How to Select Celery, Ajmoda
Choose celery that looks crisp and snaps easily when pulled apart. It should be relatively tight and compact and not have stalks that splay out. The leaves should be pale to bright green in color and free from yellow or brown patches. To check for damage, separate the stalks and look for brown or black discoloration. In addition, evaluate the celery to ensure that it does not have a seed stem-the presence of a round stem in the place of the smaller tender stalks that should reside in the center of the celery. Celery with seed stems are often more bitter in flavor.

7 Uses of Celery, Ajmoda

Celery, also known as Ajmoda, is a vegetable, very similar to parsley. It has long stalks and leaves which are both edible. The texture of celery is crunchy, fibrous, a little salty and watery. This vegetable has a worldwide usage and is a good source of Vitamin C.

1. Celery, due to its crunchy texture and distinctive flavor, makes it a popular addition to salads and sandwiches. Cucumber, Capsicum and Celery Salad is the perfect example of how a simple salad can be made with celery.

2. Carrots, onions and celery is a winner combination that forms the base for many recipes and soups. This combination is the most ideal one while making a vegetable stock, which in turn forms the base of many soups. Celery soups can be made either by adding pieces of celery to the soup or by pureeing it.

3. South Indians use celery to make a delicious curry called Celery Parippu.

For complete uses of Celery read this article.

How to Store Celery, Ajmoda
To store celery, place it in a sealed container or wrap it in a plastic bag or damp cloth and store it in the refrigerator. If you are storing cut or peeled celery, ensure that it is dry and free from water residue, as this can drain some of its nutrients. Freezing will make celery wilt and should be avoided unless you will be using it in a future cooked recipe. Celery should not be kept at room temperature for too long since, because of its high water content, it has a tendency to wilt quickly

Health benefits Celery, Ajmoda Celery helps reduce the total blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus reducing the clogging of arteries and chances of stroke. Diabetics too can include this vegetable to their diet as its high fiber contribute to maintain healthy levels of blood sugar levels. Potassium and its active compound phthalides have shown positive effects in controlling blood pressure. See detailed benefits of celery. Nutritive Information for Celery:
1 Cup of raw celery is about 102 grams
RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.

Energy - 18 calories
Protein – 0.8g
Carbohydrate – 3.5 g
Fat – 0.1 g
Fiber – 1.2 g

Vitamins:
520 mcg of Vitamin A = 10.8% of RDA (about 4800 mcg)
0.12 mg of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) = 10% of RDA ( (about 1.2 to 1.6 mg for men)
0.05 mg of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) = 2.6% of RDA (about 1.4 to 1.9 mg for men)
0.3 mg of Vitamin B3 = 2.5 % of RDA (about 12 mg)
36 mcg of Folate (Vitamin B9) = 36% of RDA (about 100 mcg)
6 mg of Vitamin C = 15% of RDA (about 40 mg)

Minerals:
230 mg of Calcium = 23% of RDA (about 1000 mg)
4.8 mg of Iron = 24% of RDA (about 20 mg)
11 mg of Magnesium = 3.1% of RDA (about 350 mg)
38 mg of Phosphorus = 23% of RDA (about 600 mg)
260 mg of Potassium = 5.5% of RDA (about 4700 g)

What is Celery?

7 Uses of Celery, Ajmoda

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