[Arugula (North America, Australia); Rocket (England); Oruga, Arugula,
Rucula (Spanish); Rucola, Ruchetta (Italian); Roquette (French);
Eruca sativa (mustard family)]
Arugula / Rocket
[Arugula (North America, Australia); Rocket (England); Oruga, Arugula,
Rucula (Spanish); Rucola, Ruchetta (Italian); Roquette (French);
Eruca sativa (mustard family)]
A salad herb native to the Mediterranean region from Portugal west To
Turkey and Jordan, and in Morocco. It has been in use since Roman times
though most often gathered wild, and was greatly in favor in Europe during
Medieval times. It then fell largely from favor but has recently been
reintroduced to become a darling of the yuppie class. It's peppery, mustardy
sharpness adds interest to salads but is largely lost by cooking.
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Buying: This herb is now common in markets and farmers markets serving the yuppie class, and also in many supermarkets in reasonably affluent neighborhoods. Note: The largest and most beautiful Arugula I have seen I purchased from Whole Foods Market in Glendale CA. It was all but unusable, totally lacking in flavor or any redeeming cultural value. Storing: Refrigerate loosely wrapped. This is a very perishable herb and will start to turn yellow in just a couple of days. Cooking: Don't - use it raw in salads - it looses nearly all flavor and becomes mushy when cooked (though some ethnic recipes do call for it cooked). |