Arugula Delivery or Pickup

Known for its distinctive dirt flavor, arugula has been served in dishes since the time of the Ancient Romans, who used it as a potent aphrodisiac. In fact, love potions were made with arugula, and it was considered good luck! Since then, arugula seeds have been pressed to make taramira oil.

Arugula has a peppery, spicy, and slightly tart flavor. The leaves are tender with a crisp stem, much like raw spinach, and when cooked, arugula resembles the delicate texture of cooked spinach. The flavor of cooked arugula is more mellow than when raw, with a very light spicy bite. Once thought to be exotic, it adds a peppery dimension to salads, soups, pizza, and omelets.

Since it is so often used as part of spring salad mixes, you may be surprised to learn that arugula is actually a cabbage and mustard family member. It is a fantastic addition to make a peppery fresh pesto sauce. Replace half the basil in the pesto recipe with fresh arugula. The result will be a peppery, fresh alternative to the pesto you're familiar with. Serve with a spring salad with fresh arugula, and you'll have an amazing meal. You can also add arugula to salads; its peppery flavor pairs well with other strong flavors, like salty cheeses, tomatoes, carrots, and more. If you've never tried arugula on top of pizza, try adding it to your next pie!

You may see arugula labeled as colewort or salad rocket. As with any leafy green, you want to find arugula with a good deep green color. The entire plant is edible, so color is important when you shop. Avoid leaves that are yellow or skinny. Don't buy it in bulk as it only lasts between three and 10 days when you get it home. It's not a good candidate for the freezer either.

As you plan your next salad, consider swapping some of the lettuce for arugula. One cup of fresh arugula contains only five calories and no fat. High in vitamin K, essential to healthy blood clotting, and vitamin A, which supports healthy skin, there are several benefits to adding arugula to your diet.

As a result of its high water content, proper storage is important. The first thing you want to do is wrap it in paper towels and store it in a zip-top bag. Make sure you label the bag and add the date for quick reference. Once it's bagged, you can put it in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

Don't clean the arugula before you store it. You'll want to clean it the day you use it. As you clean it, consider using it in your salad mix. If you are worried about the spice, you can offset it with lettuce or spinach. The salad is good by itself on a warm summer day. You can also add protein to the mix by adding chopped grilled chicken or steak.

In terms of a side dish, the salad would pair well with your favorite cut of steak. You can serve them separately or lay the salad on a platter with the steak on top for a more sophisticated presentation. This is the perfect way to add a little more to a weeknight meal or surprise your guests during a dinner party.