We 💚 to use this to perk up pesto !

Brie Goldman

From sturdy , leafycooking greensto crispy , trendycabbageto tender Bibb moolah , there ’s a gravid wide creation of jet out there . One of the most various of all ? Spicy , peppery arugula . Read on to get the answer to “ what is rocket salad ? ” We ’ll also share how to store it , what to habituate if you ca n’t find ( or do n’t dig its look ) , and dish up the best arugula formula idea to add up to your repertoire .

Flank Steak Tagliata with Arugula and Parmesan

Credit:Brie Goldman

What Is Arugula?

Based on its leafy appearance and its frequent use as a salad factor , you might feign thatarugula(aka projectile , roquette , or rucola ) is a extremity of the dough family . But it ’s actually a brassica ( cruciferous vegetable ) , alongside collard green , shekels , turnip , pelf , cauliflower , broccoli , and Brussels sprouts . Arugula is downhearted in Calorie , just 5 per cupful , and is a good source of bone - bolsteringvitamin K. It also extend a morsel of vitamin A , C , pteroylglutamic acid , atomic number 19 , Ca , and since it’s92 % water , rocket is one of the mostnaturally hydrating foods .

rocket salad isnative to the Mediterranean , so you ’ll see it asterisk in several authoritative dishes from that part , although arugula is now develop and available around the creation . It ’s mainly a fall and earlyspring vegetable , however , you should be capable to find arugula in your supermarket all year long .

Look for arugula that is lustrous and vibrant green in colour . It should pass off a clean , peppery scent Steer clear of leaves that look white-livered or droop .

What Does Arugula Taste Like?

Arugula is one ingredient that makes its comportment known . Unlike some mild - flavour foliage , such asspinachor crisphead lettuce , that can enshroud in the background and make for a quiet foundational role , arugula wad a flavor punch . It ’s peppery , risque , and a touch nutty .

In case you were curious , “ baby arugula ” is simply the same affair as “ arugula ; ” the leafage are just harvested when they ’re younger , smaller , and more raw . Baby arugula also run to be gentler in flavor , so if you regain arugula ’s presence to be a little too “ garish ” for your desire recipe or personal preference , seek out sister arugula ( or a blend of greens that combines rocket with other leafy mixed bag ) .

The Best Arugula Substitutes

If even baby Eruca sativa is a bit too peppery for you , or you simply ca n’t rule a good crew of fresh arugula at yourfarmers marketor foodstuff store this week , consider :

How to Store Arugula

The optimal topographic point to store garden rocket and any leafy leafy vegetable : a high - humiditycrisper drawerin your refrigerator . If they came pre - water-washed and in a bag or charge card clamshell , lay in them in that . Otherwise , chuck your arugula dry , enfold the megabucks slackly in dry paper towels , and place them in a garden truck bag or zip - top bag .

supernumerary wet hie up spoilage , so contrive to wash off the Eruca sativa just before you plan to use it . Here’show to wash shekels with or without a salad spinner .

Aim to habituate arugula within 5 twenty-four hours of buy the greens ( or plunk them from your garden ) .

How to Use Arugula in Recipes

Feel innocent to enjoy fresh rocket salad raw or cooked ; the latter will tame its flavour a bit . If you ’re unsure of where to start with your beautiful bunch of now - clean greens , might we advocate taste arugula :