It's no longer news that PANCs , the "unconventional edible plants", have once and for all entered the palate of vegans, vegetarians and those who love to always have fresh vegetables at home. However, when growing them, some care must be taken. Renata Polinati, a professor of Nutrition at IBMR University Center, explains that many edible plants adapt to different types of pots and can be successfully grown in houses or apartments. Below, we explain in more detail what PANCs are and give tips for growing them!
What are PANCs?
Whether native to Brazil, exotic or naturalized, PANCs are nothing more than plants whose leaves, roots, flowers or stems are edible , but which are not yet so common in human food. “You can pick up seedlings and seeds from the streets and grow them at home, without any problems. You can also buy these vegetables in urban gardens or at organic markets,” explains Renata. But be careful: many plants that grow in squares, sidewalks, gardens and vegetable patches are not edible . Others should preferably be cooked. “It is important to pay attention to how each plant is prepared – many PANCs are only edible after proper preparation ,” she warns. Growing PANCs at home
For apartment farmers, Renata suggests searching online for suppliers of PANC seedlings. To grow them, simply place them in a pot and pay attention to the specifications of each plant. “The more people know about and want to buy a PANC, the greater the interest in selling it will be,” explains the professor. Here’s a tip:
one of the easiest ways to grow a PANC at home is by planting a small sweet potato root . Place this root in a pot that is the same size as the root and add some gravel to the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage. Then, cover it with soil – you can buy it at a florist – and water it a few times a week. In a few days, the sprouts will appear as if they were small vines. In addition to decorating your home, the leaves can be harvested and sautéed for consumption.
