How many times in our campaigns we came across a weed and often annoying, that in all the ways we have tried to weed or prune to control it? A Plant with leaves hairy and soft to the touch and flowers in the shape of "cob" intense red-brown color.

It was once used for the creation of a natural dye, but its food use is the one that should arouse our interest

In a historic moment, in which power is playing an increasingly important role for our health, (it is assumed that about 50% of our health depends from our eating habits) Sumac outperforms any other food in the fight against radicals free.

Yes, among the most Powerful antioxidants in the world (if not, the most powerful) today known, we just her, the weed that occupies part of our countryside! And there's more, one of the richest variety in beneficial substances is precisely the Sicilian one, or the Rhus coriaria L., the Sicilian sumac. In the ORAC scale prepared by the USDA (National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference), our Sicilian plant dominate the top, with as many as 312,400 mol TE / 100g total units; his contribution in tannins (hydrolysable and condensed), phenolic acids, anthocyanins, gallic acid derivatives, flavonoid glycosides, organic acids give this variety of plants pharmacological properties, such as:

- Antibacterial activity

In particular, the one directed towards Helicobacter Pylori (responsible for various diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcer, dyspepsia and gastric cancer)

one facing the Propionibacterium acnes, one of the factors responsible for acne

or that towards the Salmonella

- Antioxidant activity

Thanks to his leadership, provides the body a quantity of antioxidants high, just 2 grams per day for far exceed the amount of ORAC units recommended (ie 5000)

- Glucose lowering activity

Its direct action toward certain enzymes responsible for carbohydrate digestion, slows the absorption process, thus lowering the glycemic load of the meal

- Protective DNA Activity

The gallic acid and ellagic acid protects our genetic heritage from the attack die free radicals

- Cholesterol-lowering and lipid-lowering activity

Sumac slows the oxidation of bad cholesterol and at the same time the same lowers total cholesterol levels

- Ateroprotective Activities

The tannins made from this plant, act by decreasing vascular inflammation, responsible for the atherosclerotic disease

But how can we use this valuable plant?

A simple recipe for tabbouleh to fragrances of Sicily and allows us to bring out the best flavor of this unique spice

Ingredients

125 g of parsley in small leaves

60 g of broken grain (ancient Sicilian durum wheat) or buckwheat / quinoa (for gluten intolerant)

25 g of fresh mint

150-200g of cherry tomatoes

1/2 Onion from Giarratana

1 interdonato Lemon from Messina

Olive oil extra-virgin olive oil

Sumac (sumac)

Lettuce

sea ​​salt from Trapani

Preparation

Wash the herbs and drain, prepared bunches with the leaves and cut by hand with a sharp knife (do not use a mixer for this operation).

Squeeze the two lemons.

Cleaning under running water the grain in order to eliminate any residues and allow to soak for it soften (about 10 minutes), drain it thoroughly and squeeze excess water, place in a bowl with the lemon juice and olive oil olive.

Let it stand for about 1/2 so that it absorbs the sauce and showing tender, but not soaked.

Slice the onion very finely and mix with salt and sumac powder.

Just before serving add the corn to the chopped herbs, a little at a time.

Add the onion and finish seasoning, stirring well.

The sour taste of lemon should be clean.

Serve the salad on a large platter garnished capacity with lighter leaves and crispy taken to the heart of the lettuce. Complete with diced tomatoes.