Chervis (Sium sisarum), proposed by AKÈNE
🌿 A tasty and rustic old vegetable 🌿
Chervis is a hardy perennial plant that deserves to find its place in today's vegetable gardens . Long cultivated in Europe for its sweet white roots , it is appreciated for its subtle taste reminiscent of parsnips and its ease of maintenance . This plant can reach 1.2 meters in height and produces, in summer, graceful umbels of white flowers that attract a multitude of pollinators .
🌱 Adapted to rich, moist soils , chervil thrives in full sun or partial shade and tolerates cooler, deeper soils that most vegetables shun. Once established, it is perennial and naturally reseeds , allowing for an annual harvest without having to replant.
Characteristics of the variety
📅 Flowering : July to August
📏 Height : 120 cm
🌱 Spacing : 45 cm
☀️ Exposure : Sun, partial shade
🌿 Life cycle : Perennial
🌾 Soil type : Loamy to clayey, rich
💧 Soil moisture content : Medium to moist
🦌 Deer Resistance : Low
📦 Seeds per packet : 100
Sowing and cultivation
📏 Sowing depth : 5 mm
🌡 Germination time : 15 to 20 days
❄️ Cold stratification : 45 days
⚡ Scarification : Soaking for 24 hours
🔹 Indoor method (for optimal germination) :
1️⃣ Soak the seeds in cool water for 24 hours .
2️⃣ Mix them with three parts moist vermiculite and place them in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for 45 to 60 days .
3️⃣ After stratification, sow in pots indoors in March .
4️⃣ Replant in the garden after the last frosts , spacing the plants 45 cm apart.
🔹 Outdoor method :
🌿 Sow directly in the fall to allow natural stratification during the winter.
💧 Use mulch (chipped branch wood, leaves, bark) to conserve moisture and limit competition from unwanted weeds .
🌱 Once well established, the chervil returns every year and produces regular harvests without requiring replanting.
Medicinal and culinary uses
🥕 A forgotten vegetable to rediscover
Chervil roots are harvested in the fall and can be steamed, roasted, or added to soups and stews . Their sweetness and melting texture make them an excellent side vegetable.
🌿 Edible leaves and young shoots , raw or cooked.
💊 Medicinal properties : Diuretic and tonic.
Roasted Chervil with Butter and Herbs
🥕 A simple recipe to rediscover this forgotten vegetable!
Ingredients (4 servings)
- 500 g of chervil roots , washed and peeled
- 2 tbsp butter (or olive oil for a vegan version)
- 1 clove of garlic , chopped
- 1 tsp honey (optional, to accentuate the natural sweetness)
- 1 sprig of fresh thyme
- 1 pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
Preparation
1️⃣ Blanch the roots : Plunge the chervils into a pan of boiling salted water for 5 minutes , then drain them. This helps to soften them and preserve their melting texture.
2️⃣ Roast : In a frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic, then the chervils. Brown them for 10-15 minutes , turning them regularly, until they are golden and slightly caramelized.
3️⃣ Season : Add thyme, honey (if using), salt and pepper. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes .
4️⃣ Serve : Drizzle with lemon juice before serving, to balance the flavors.
🍽 Enjoy as an accompaniment to a main dish , or mixed with other roasted vegetables such as carrots and parsnips.
🌱 Why this recipe?
👉 Simple and quick , it allows you to appreciate the subtle flavor of chervil.
👉 Gentle caramelization : Butter and honey enhance its natural sweetness.
👉 Easily adaptable : Add roasted hazelnuts, fresh parsley or even a little grated parmesan for variety!
Ecological roles and utilities
🐝 An ally of pollinators : Its honey-producing white flowers attract bees and butterflies .
🌱 A soil stabilizer : Its deep root system helps prevent erosion in sustainable vegetable gardens.
🌿 A self-sufficient perennial vegetable : It reseeds easily , allowing for a continuous supply without effort.
Companion plants
🌿 Borage, carrot, celery, parsnip
Enemy plants
🌿 Fennel
Why grow chervil?
🥕 A forgotten vegetable with a mild and refined taste
🐝 An asset for biodiversity thanks to its honey-producing flowers
🌱 Easy to maintain, it comes back every year without replanting
🌾 Perfect for wet soils often neglected by other crops
🌿 Add chervil to your vegetable garden for a rustic, tasty and ecological crop!
