Dictionary Definition
celeriac
Noun
1 grown for its thickened edible aromatic root
[syn: celery root,
knob
celery, root celery,
turnip-rooted
celery, Apium
graveolens rapaceum]
2 thickened edible aromatic root of a variety of
celery plant [syn: celery
root]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
- a form of celery, Apium graveolens, having an aromatic taproot eaten as a vegetable
Translations
- Italian: sedano rapa
- Swedish: selleri, rotselleri
Extensive Definition
Celeriac (Apium graveolens Rapaceum Group) is
also known as 'celery root,' 'turnip-rooted celery' or 'knob
celery'. It is a kind
of celery, grown as a
root
vegetable for its large and well-developed taproot rather than for its
stem
and leaves. The root is
typically used when it is about 10–12 cm in diameter;
about the size of a large potato. Unlike other root
vegetables, which store a large amount of starch, celery root is
only about 5-6% starch by weight.
Celeriac may be used raw or cooked. It has a
tough, furrowed, outer surface which is usually sliced off before
use because it is too rough to peel. Celeriac has a celery flavour,
and is often used as a flavouring in soups and stews; it can also
be used on its own, usually mashed, or used in casseroles, gratins and baked dishes.
The hollow stalk of the upper plant is sometimes
cut into drinking straw lengths, rinsed, and used in the serving of
tomato-based drinks such as the Bloody
Mary cocktail. The tomato juice is lightly flavoured with
celery as it passes through the stalk.
Celeriac is not as widely used as some other root
vegetables, perhaps because it is harder to prepare and clean: it
has been described as "a vegetable octopus" or "Rastafarian turnip"
in reference to the tangle of rootlets that grow at the base.
There are a number or cultivars available, especially
in Europe. Among them are 'Prinz', 'Diamant', 'Ibis', and 'Kojak',
which all received Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden
Merit designation in the trial in 2000.
Celeriac normally keeps well and should last
three to four months if stored between 0°C and 5°C and not allowed
to dry out.
Allergies from celery and celeriac
See also
External links
celeriac in Danish: Knoldselleri
celeriac in Finnish: Mukulaselleri
celeriac in French: Céleri-rave
celeriac in Dutch: Knolselderij
celeriac in Swedish:
Rotselleri