Tasty Turmeric

I can’t get enough tasty turmeric in my diet lately! And how fortunate am I to have found a local, organic source of this superfood at my local go-to farmstand on St. Croix- @artfarm, LLC. Turmeric root has made the ‘healthy news’ for several years now as it contains the compound curcumin, an active anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, that may help fight diseases like cancer, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s. 

A member of the ginger family, turmeric is indigenous to India, and has played a central role in Ayurvedic medicinal teas and tonics, as well as starring in sauces, curries, and pastes typical of Southeast Asian dishes for centuries.

Fresh turmeric root can be peeled and used for cooking just like fresh ginger root. The bright orange color reminds me of a carrot- however, you may notice your fingers and hands retaining some of that color when working with fresh turmeric root – EEK- a little bit of sea salt scrub works well to remove any residue quickly!

Turmeric can also be purchased dried and ground into a powder. You can find this in the spice section of your local grocery store. I usually reach for organic everything so my preference is “Simply Organic” when I can’t find the real deal!

A couple weeks ago we had rain on St. Croix and I was craving the warm gingery-mustardy spiciness of turmeric with my roasted root veggies for dinner. The sauce I created can be used as a salad dressing, a topping for rice, veggies, tofu, you name it! It’s SOOOO good I ate some of it straight from the bowl. And my 17 year old cat, Tang (who is my self appointed sous chef) did too!* 

Loaded with immune system goodness- tasty turmeric- is THE spice you may want to include in your flu season (dare I mention coronavirus) arsenal and in your diet all year round. 

Happy tasting everyone! 

Love-
Stacia xo

*turmeric paste/powder is safe for cats and dog too! as with any supplement it is always wise to check with your veterinarian before feeding your pet something new.