If you have already seen the recipe for spicy snack that we have published today surely you have stayed wanting to know more about this legume. So keep reading if you want to know her in depth.
What is edamame and how to recognize it?
The edamame are tender soy beans collected before they mature.
All the pods are green, very similar to those of peas and beans. After all, they are all legumes, although their size is rather small.
The interior of the pod is lighter in color and slightly padded. Usually have only 2 or 3 soybeans inside well separated. Not like the peas that go all in line and in a row.
A curiosity about edamame pods is that they are furry, that is, they are covered with a soft fluff. Very useful feature to distinguish them well.
How do you eat edamame?
The normal thing, and what we regulars of Asian restaurants have gotten used to, is to take edamame as appetizer. It is served, hot or cold, with its pod and is seasoned with different condiments.
But we can also use only beans to prepare delicious salads, risottos, pasta dishes, soups and dips or spreads.
Best of all, edamame has a very mild flavor that combines with the vast majority of ingredients. So the options are almost endless.
Use them like peas or may beans. They will give you a lot of play in the kitchen to prepare different dishes and not always be cooking the same recipes.
What are the properties of Edamame?
Edamame, like soybeans, is a source of plant-based protein. Although its properties not only stop there, it is also rich in fiber, calcium, isoflavones, vitamin K and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and manganese.
- Supports the cardiovascular system - Increasing the consumption of edamame as an alternative to protein of animal origin is ideal to combat and control cholesterol levels (LDL) and heart disease. In addition, it has a compound that regulates blood pressure, improving overall cardiovascular health.
- Reduces the development of cancer cells - Edamame contributes to our diet isoflavones such as genistein, with antioxidant properties and a powerful inhibitor of the carcinogenic process.
- Rich in fiber - So it helps against constipation. It is also very satiating which makes it an ingredient to consider in weight loss diets.
- Helps eliminate toxins - Not only does it work against constipation, edamame also acts as a diuretic, favoring the elimination of toxins and preventing infections.
- Prevents anemia - It has a high contribution of iron and copper that increase defenses and strengthen the immune system thus avoiding possible diseases, infections and viruses.
- Strengthens bone density - The consumption of edamame provides our body with minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese and vitamin K that strengthen joint tissue, increase muscle density and reinforce bone density, keeping osteoporosis at bay.
- Reduce symptoms of menopause - Edamame contains isoflavones, natural estrogens, which help regulate emotional states, hot flashes and other climacteric disorders. It also helps in case of excessive menstruation.
5 essential tips
Here 5 more reasons to cheer up to try the edamame:
- Increase the Energy bodily.
- Promotes sleep and prevents insomnia.
- Improves learning and the memory.
- It is gluten free, so it is suitable for celiacs.
- It is a highly recommended food in vegan and sports diets.
Now that you know the edamame perfectly, they will surely come to mind thousand ideas to experiment in the kitchen. I already have my next recipe, so keep an eye on our website and social networks.
And do not forget share your photos and recipes with us… we will be delighted to see your dishes !!
Where to buy edamame?
If your neighborhood supermarket does not have edamame, the place where you will surely find it is in Mercadona.
If you want to buy edamame in Mercadona, you will find it in the frozen section in a 500 gram format and cooking it is as simple as putting the green soybean pods in boiling salted water, without having to defrost them.
After 3 or 5 minutes, drain the excess water and they are ready to dress them as you like best.
More information - Spicy edamame snack