masterchef quarter final this week

[crisgal]

on thursday, in the ingredients challenge, greg had some root vegetables.
The only one I didn't recognise was the long thin brown one, and they didn't tell you what it was.
Was it horesradish?

[Mr Veritas]

Hello there,
You must be observant!(or I just don't watch the observation part well enough?)
This is Horesradish
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/961/ 85025493.JPG

but I feel it might have been
scorzonera, also known as black salsify
http://www.patnsteph.net/blogpics/salsify.jpg

There is also a "white" salsify too
http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/wp-content/ uploads/2007/08/salsify-oyster-plant-root.jpg
called "white" because when scraped and cooked it IS white,whereas the black is dark after cooking.

Yes,they do look the same! LOL

I have eaten them both,and neither has much taste,but they are pricey to buy(because they have a very short season) .

[crisgal]

how interesting Mr Veritas! I would say it was the scorzonera!
I have never tasted it. Is it one of the ingredients of root beer?

[Mr Veritas]

I don't think so,because scorzonera not only being expensive is rather bland and tasteless.
Might you be confusing it with Sarsaparilla?

Here are some typical ingredients of some Root Beers,not all are used at one time!
This list is from another website:~

Here is just few things you'll find in Root Beer.

Bourbon Vanilla
Licorice Root
Sarsaparilla Root Extract
Sasafrass Root Extract
Nutmeg
Anise
Wintergreen
Cinammon
Clove
Molasses
Pimento Berry Oil
Balsam Oil
Oil Of Cassia
Malted Barley
Citric Acid
Cherry Bark
Fennugreek
St. John's Wort
Maple Syrup
Yucca Extract
Cane Sugar
Corn Syrup
and the list goes on ...