Sockrop is often disregarded as a weed because the plant can be very annoying in the garden or lawn. Nevertheless, the he alth value of the spring plant should not be underestimated. Although dock is very slightly toxic, it can be eaten raw or cooked in small quantities in various dishes.
Is dock edible and how to use it?
Sockrop is edible in small quantities and can be used raw or cooked in salads, soups, sauces or purees. Sorrel is particularly suitable as a natural source of acid. Collect docks in spring before flowering and pay attention to clean, undisturbed growing areas.
Preparing dock in the kitchen
- Salads
- Soups
- Sauces
- Purrees
You can use dock raw or cooked. Add raw sorrel, especially sorrel, to all dishes where a certain acidity is desired. It can be used well instead of lemon or vinegar.
Contrary to what many people think, dock is not suitable for drying. The aroma cannot be preserved. Therefore, always process dock fresh.
If the dock is prepared raw, cut it into strips. Mix it with lettuce leaves or carrots so that the salad doesn't taste too sour.
Where sorrel is often eaten
Sorrel soup is considered a typical spring dish in Eastern Europe. Dock is also often served in England and France in spring.
The famous Frankfurt “Grie Soß”, the green sauce, is made from many green herbs, including sorrel.
Sockrop as a medicinal plant
Sockrop contains a lot of oxalic acid, which is used in natural medicine for various ailments. Consuming the young leaves or an extract from dock works:
- laxative
- blood forming
- blood purifying
- diuretic
- tonic
Tea made from dock helps against fever and stomach problems. However, people who suffer from gout or rheumatism should avoid drinking dock.
When is dock collected?
Collect docks only in spring before flowering. Over the course of the year, the leaves not only become hard, they also no longer taste good. This is especially true for the sorrel, which lives up to its name.
Look for the leaves only in meadows and pastures where no animals graze or which are directly next to busy dog walking paths.
Tip
For humans, dock is edible in small quantities. The situation is different for horses and sheep. You can get poisoned from the plant because of the high content of oxalic acid.
