Talk:Samphire

Unclear which of the forms of Samphire
I have moved these sections here as its not clear which of the forms of Samphire they are describing. Lumos3 18:21, 16 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Medicinal uses
 * "Samphire" is known for its digestive and anti-flatulent properties. Culpepper wrote in the 17th century that samphire was useful in curing ailments relating to "ill digestions and obstructions," while being "very pleasant to taste and stomach." It also contains diuretic and depurative properties and is rich in iodine, phosphorus, calcium, silica, zinc, manganese and vitamins A, C and D. When pickled, it was often taken along by sailors on ocean voyages to combat scurvy.


 * Culinary uses
 * The crisp, salty, fleshy tender stalks of young "samphire", gathered in May or June, can be eaten raw, plain or with a vinaigrette, alone or in a salad with other ingredients. As the season progresses samphire becomes a bit bitter and it is better to blanch it. Just a few minutes in boiling water will remove its bitterness and excess salt. Sometimes called "poor man's asparagus," it is delicious when boiled and served on its own or sautéed in a pan with butter, garlic and parsley as an accompaniment to fish, red or white meats or poultry. It's also delicious made into soup with twice its weight in half-cooked potato, a little butter and pepper. Pickled samphire is excellent with cold fish and meats, charcuterie or raclette. It can also be used to flavor mustard, mayonnaise or vinegar.

Gathering Samphire from the Wild
I thought these references useful but am unsure if they belong in the article.

http://uktv.co.uk/food/ingredient/aid/509472

UK TV > Good Food Channel >

Samphire

There are two main types of samphire - marsh and rock - you can enjoy it at its prime from June to September.

Marsh samphire - Resembling miniature cacti, marsh samphire is sometimes sold in reputable fishmongers, but by far the best way to get hold of these hardy plants is to pick-your-own at low tide. Take along a pair of wellington boots - it's a muddy, but rewarding job. One of the best places to forage for samphire is on the Norfolk coast.

Rock samphire - A rare plant, related to parsley and fennel. It has an earlier season than marsh samphire, and is in season during spring, rather than summer. Aficionados swear by the superior flavour, but it's hard to find, and marsh samphire with its characteristic saltiness makes a fine alternative.

Related Recipes: 19

and

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/cookandchef/txt/s1721935.htm

Australia > ABC TV > The Cook and the Chef > Recipes >

Wednesday, 23 August 2006: Episode 29,

Recipe: Pan-Fried Marron with Samphire

Ingredients: Samphire (Samphire is the salt in this dish) If summer the Samphire may not need to be blanched. If winter blanch Samphire in boiling water for 3 minutes. Get some oil really hot in pan and put Samphire in. Toss until partially caramelised.

Samphire is a native succulent. Woody at the base and with many branches it grows freely on many of Southern Australia’s salty flats. Samphire is considered best for use in summer when the fleshy leaves are bright green and aromatic. In Winter the leaves turn a reddish/ pink but as Simon discovered there is still some green to be found at the base of the plants. Simon also finds that blanching winter samphire before cooking gives him the lovely, salty taste of the sea that he’s after for his dishes.
 * NOTE:

Samphire collection for food. (courtesy Dept Environment and Heritage SA)

• Samphire is native vegetation, and is protected by legislation, for example the Native Vegetation Act in South Australia.

• Tidal samphire wetlands are an important part of the coastal ecosystem; they provide a buffer against storm surges and other major coastal events. They also provide habitat for a large number of invertebrates (insects, spiders, snails etc) which in turn provide food for birds such as the White-fronted Chat. Samphire flats are important nesting habitat for wading birds like the Black-winged Stilt.

• Ask at your local Department for Environment and Heritage office, or equivalent, before collecting samphire, to find out if any permits are required.

• Make sure that you have the owner’s permission. If you are planning to collect on public land, like roadsides, National Parks or the coastal reserve, you will need a permit.

Ningyo Majo (talk) 21:59, 26 July 2009 (UTC)

Etymolgy
'Etymology'

My little girl tried it, misheard the name calling it "Sandfire"...could it be? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Kingy112 (talk • contribs) 18:59, 31 July 2011 (UTC)

Annuals???
Pretty sure not all of these species are annuals. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 160.111.254.17 (talk) 13:52, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

External links modified
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just added archive links to 1 one external link on Samphire. Please take a moment to review my edit. If necessary, add after the link to keep me from modifying it. Alternatively, you can add to keep me off the page altogether. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/20110726063846/http://www.gcrio.org/usiji/pdf/Mexico-3%203-04.pdf to http://www.gcrio.org/usiji/pdf/Mexico-3%203-04.pdf

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Cheers.—cyberbot II  Talk to my owner :Online 20:03, 12 February 2016 (UTC)