Spanish word

mastuerzo

Pronunciation

IPA/masˈtweɾθo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwatercress

Example

¿Quieres un poco de mastuerzo en la ensalada?

Do you want some watercress in the salad?

Illustration for mastuerzo (watercress)

More examples

Preparé un pesto de mastuerzo para acompañar la pasta.

I prepared a watercress pesto to accompany the pasta.

Core concept

Small cluster of bright green, peppery riverbank leaves.

Common phrases

  • ensalada de mastuerzo

    watercress salad

  • sándwich con mastuerzo

    sandwich with watercress

  • pesto de mastuerzo

    watercress pesto

Similar words

espinaca: Soft broad leaves with a mild flavor, commonly cooked or added tender to warm dishes.
berro: Small aquatic leaves with a sharp, peppery bite and crisp texture, used raw in salads.
canónigo: Dense clusters of tiny round leaves with a delicate, mild flavor used as salad greens.
rúcula: Long narrow leaves with a pronounced mustardy pepper flavor used to spice up salads.

Definition in Spanish

Planta de hojas comestibles, típica de la ribera, con sabor algo picante; usada frecuentemente como aderezo fresco en ensaladas y tapas.

Word origin

From an old Romance name for watercress ultimately from Latin nasturtium, with regional sound changes yielding mastuerzo.

Usage tips

  • Used in some regions instead of the more common berro, mastuerzo often appears on menus and in home-cooking talk about local salads and tapas.

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