Molehiya

Molehiya

In the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus molehiya The plant known by the name is called Corn spinach or bush okra. It is a food that benefits the body, hair and skin, and the leafy vegetable is also known as the secret of Cleopatra.

Cleopatra's Secret

The 12 known benefits of the molehiya plant are;

•  Makes the skin soft supple and smooth
•  Vitamins in it help fight acne
•  It contains vitamins A and e, therefore anti-aging
•  It contains vitamin B1, accelerates blood circulation and provides a healthy glow to the skin.
•  Vitamin E increases blood circulation in the scalp and enables hair follicles to receive nutrients.
•  When consumed regularly, it strengthens the hair follicles and prevents hair loss.
•  Its antioxidant values moisturize the scalp and eliminate itching and dandruff
•  Vitamin A ensures that the eyes have a shiny structure
•  Anti-inflammatory properties are good for stomach and headache
•  High fiber content promotes bowel movements and relaxes the Digestive system
•  Prevents the onset of diabetes, balances cholesterol levels
•  It regulates blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Foods Contained

The vegetable, which resembles spinach, is among the very strong foods in terms of vitamins and minerals. Molehiya nutrients contained in the plant;

•  Beta carotene
•  Calcium
•  Vitamin B1
•  Vitamin B2
•  Niacin
•  C vitamin
•  Vitamin E
•  Potassium
•  Iron
•  Folate
•  It is a dietary fiber.

Recipe of Molehiya Dish

The health benefits are countless molehiya The food of the plant is also very beneficial for health. Molehiya, which is a very favorite dish in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is made as follows;

 Required ingredients for molehiya

•  One kilo of dried molehiya herbs
•  Half a kilo of meat or chicken
•  A tablespoon of tomato paste
•  1 large tomato
•  1 liter of water
•  1 large onion
•  1 or 2 teaspoons of salt optionally
•  Optionally, 1 or 1.5 teaspoons of black pepper
•  Extra virgin olive oil
•  One lemon.

Molehiya the preparation of your meal; Dried molehiyas are soaked in hot water and drained well, extra virgin olive oil is added to the pot. Finely chopped onion in olive oil is cooked until it turns pink. Then, meat or chicken is added. When close to cooking, tomato paste is added. It is roasted with all the ingredients and then molehiyas are added. Salt and black pepper are added, and water is added and cooked for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is taken from the stove by closing the bottom and a smoke that has been peeled and removed from the core is cut into cubes and discarded.

Production Area Is Very Small

The molehiya plant is especially produced in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The cultivation of the plant takes place in April in the coastal regions and in the middle of May in the inner regions. The sowing process should be completed in July at the latest, when it is planted early, it is harvested about 3 times a year, and when it is planted close in July, it is harvested only once. Approximately 40 days after planting the seedling, the production area of the plant, whose illness is carried out, is quite small. It is preferred instead of technological products in harvest, and it is directly proportional to the quality of the plant and water quality.

Came to the island in the 7th century

Being a kind of plant due to its fibrous structure molehiya It is sent dried and sent out of Cyprus and is generally used for making rope, paper and sacks. The Molehiya plant came to Cyprus during the Egyptian domination or during the Arab raids in the middle of the 7th century. The longing molehiya leaves are removed, and the sorting takes place in a way that neighbors help each other, especially in rural areas. Its shelf life is long, so it is extracted enough for 1 year and easily stored in bags.