Marshmallows

 

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by Sandra Merville Hart

Marshmallow root has been used for at least 2,000 years to soothe respiratory and digestive issues. It’s been used in desserts, beverages, and cosmetics. Most mallows are edible and were a delicacy for Romans. Folks in other European countries boiled it and then fried it in butter and onions.

Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is a flowering plant that grows along rivers and marshes. The root is a brown, fibrous husk. It produces mucilage, a substance similar to sap, that has been used as an herbal medicine to treat coughs, dry mouth, and to soothe skin irritations. It may reduce digestive issues like ulcers.

Dried marshmallow root can be used to make a cup of tea.

The marshmallows that we are used to eating today usually don’t contain marshmallow root and had its beginnings in France about 170 years ago. In 1900, corn syrup, egg whites, and water were heated along with marshmallow root and poured into molds.

I followed the Food Network’s recipe to make marshmallows, a new dish for me. I halved the recipe—a mistake because I used a 13 x 9 pan to rest them in and this made a thin layer of marshmallow. (If you halve the recipe, I suggest using a 8 x 8 pan.)

This mistake turned out to be a good thing.

I needed to take a dessert to a family gathering so instead of slicing them into 1-inch squares, I sliced them into cracker-sized shapes for s’mores. It was perfect!

Family members loved this novelty dessert! If you want that “roasted over the fire” gooey taste, then layer a slice on top of a cracker, half of a Hershey’s chocolate bar and microwave for about 5 seconds. I preferred it unmelted (less messy) but everyone else preferred it melted.

Homemade marshmallows have to set for at least 4 hours or overnight so plan accordingly if you want to use them for your next campfire.

Sources

“Althaea (plant),” Wikipedia, 2020/10/12 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Althaea_(plant).

“Homemade Marshmallows,” Food Network, 2020/10/12 https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-marshmallows-recipe-1953933.

“Marshmallow Root,” Mountain Rose Herbs, 2020/10/12 https://mountainroseherbs.com/marshmallow-root.

“What are the Benefits of Marshmallow Root?” MedicalNewsToday, 2020/10/12 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324860.