In the West, there is a cheap vegetable that "everyone loves", known as the quintessence of the countryside with miraculous uses!

Among the countless familiar vegetables in the Vietnamese countryside, chives stand out with their simple appearance and characteristic sweet flavor. For people in the West, this vegetable is not only a part of a meal rich in the flavor of their homeland, but also a gift from nature that brings economic and health value.

Every flood season from June to August of the lunar calendar, people in the West eagerly await the appearance of water chives. Without requiring elaborate care, this vegetable grows by itself from flooded fields, with long, green, soft leaves like silk ribbons.

Water chives have long, flat, green leaves that are soft, spongy, and crunchy. When eaten, they have a sweet taste that is very easy to eat.

According to chive farmers in An Giang , chives are a vegetable that grows naturally, without needing to be planted or fertilized, yet they grow in full fields every year. Easy to pick, easy to sell, the price is also very good, and people like it because it tastes sweet.

Picking this vegetable is quite simple but requires some skill, by wading into the field, gently grasping the roots of the chives, shaking them lightly to remove the soil, then slowly pulling them up. The fresh bunches of vegetables are then washed, tied neatly, and brought to the market.

This type of water chives can grow and develop not only in freshwater environments, but also in water environments contaminated with alum, this plant can still grow normally.

How to grow and care for chives

Not only water chives, traditional chives grown on soil are also very popular, especially in the countryside of Vietnam. Easy to grow and easy to grow, chives often thrive in moist soil with lots of light.

Chives grown on land only need to be loosened and kept moist enough to grow rapidly. The leaves grow back after being cut, and can be harvested several times a month. Water chives are even more special because they are not picky about the environment. Even in areas with alum-contaminated water, this vegetable still grows green and flourishes, proving its strong vitality.

Water chives - people often call it a heavenly pearl because this vegetable is a type of vegetable that grows naturally without the need for planting. Besides, the economic value of water chives is very high and it is also very delicious. Photo: Long An Provincial Radio and Television Station

Delicious dishes from chives

Chives are not only a familiar spice, but this vegetable is also the main ingredient in many rustic dishes. With just a few green chives, you can create dishes that make people's hearts flutter.

There are many ways to prepare chives, but for people in the West, the simplest way is to boil them and dip them in fish sauce. Oh my, the sweetness of chives mixed with the salty, spicy fish sauce, you will never forget it after eating it!

Chives with fish sauce. Photo: BHX

Another dish that cannot be missed is braised perch served with water chives. The fish stock is thick and full of spicy spices, making it an ideal dipping sauce for boiled chives. On cold rainy days, this dish with a bowl of hot white rice will bring the whole family together and keep them warm.

In addition, chives are also used to stir-fry with small intestines, cook soup with minced meat, or as an ingredient for banh xeo or banh khot. No matter what dish it appears in, this vegetable always brings a very unique delicious flavor.

Water chives served with perch. Photo: BHX

Chives are not only a rustic dish but also a stable source of income for people in the West. During the flood season, chives are often sold for 30,000 to 50,000 VND/kg, depending on freshness and market demand.

This vegetable is easy to sell, almost everyone who goes to the market stops by to buy a bunch. Chives are fresh, green, sweet to the taste and the price is not too high, so every day this is one of the first vegetables to sell out."

Uses of chives

Not only delicious, chives are also known as a valuable medicine in traditional medicine. According to physician Nguyen Van Tam, Vietnam Institute of Traditional Medicine, chives are warm, spicy and sweet, bringing many health benefits. According to this physician, chives help relieve colds, reduce phlegm, reduce coughs, support the digestive system and increase resistance. People with long-term coughs, if combining chives with honey or ginger, will see obvious results.

In addition, modern research also shows that chives contain many antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber. These ingredients are not only good for the heart, but also help improve the digestive system, reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases and prevent constipation.

Chives, from the countryside of the West to the family dinner table, are a symbol of simplicity, familiarity and uniqueness. The flavor of this vegetable not only enriches the meal, but also brings great nutritional and health values.

Source: https://danviet.vn/o-mien-tay-co-loai-rau-gia-re-van-nguoi-me-duoc-menh-danh-la-tinh-hoa-cua-dong-que-voi-cong-dung-than-ky-20250127221626256.htm