Autumn harvest season of the specialty water mimosa in the salt fields of Nghe An

In the early mornings, when going to the salt fields in An Hoa, Quynh Thuan, Quynh Tho communes..., you will see people picking water mimosa. This season, water mimosa grows and produces many new shoots, so everyone takes advantage of the free time to go to the fields to earn extra income.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong in Quynh Thuan commune said that since Tet, she has been carrying a bag to the salt fields every day to pick the water mimosa. To pick a lot, people have to go early and know where the water mimosa grows, because not everyone can find this vegetable. At this time, the vegetable is sprouting a lot of new shoots, so picking is easier, if you pick all day, you can pick about more than 10 kg.

In the mornings, people in the coastal area of ​​Quynh Luu go to the salt fields to pick water mimosa. Photo: Viet Hung

“The small shoots of the water mimosa grow among the grass, and to pick them you have to be patient and persistent. In the past, this vegetable grew a lot, but recently, due to the increasing demand from people to buy it for food, it has become more difficult to find and pick. Therefore, anyone who is willing to go to many places can earn from 100,000 to 150,000 VND per day,” said Ms. Huong.

Water spinach on the salt fields in Quynh Luu. Photo: Hong Dien

In the salt fields, not only adults go to pick water mimosa but many children also bring baskets and plastic bags to pick this vegetable. As for children, due to lack of experience, the number of people looking to pick water mimosa is smaller. Ho Thi My, an 8th grader in Quynh Long commune, said that while she was on vacation, she and some friends rode their bicycles to the salt fields 3 km from home to pick. They only picked in the morning and brought them to the market in the afternoon to sell.

“Currently, each kilo of water mimosa sells for 20,000 VND. I can pick 2-5 kg ​​per day and sell for 40,000-100,000 VND. The weather is cool so we take advantage of it, and we have school tomorrow so we won’t have time to pick it,” My shared.

From a wild vegetable, today, rau lot is becoming a specialty of Nghe An coastal region. Photo: Hong Dien

At coastal markets, rau lot is sold a lot. In recent years, this vegetable has been favored by people because it grows naturally, when eaten it gives a salty feeling of the sea, cools the body, and relieves heat on summer days. In addition to being sold at the market, this vegetable is imported to restaurants, even brought to Hanoi for sale.

When picked, the jujube leaves are washed and then boiled. They are processed into jujube leaf salad served with rice paper rolls.