- 29,781
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
That's right, arugula! This leafy green member of the mustard family is low in calories and a good source of vitamins A and C, calcium, magnesium and folate (also known as vitamin B9). Eruca vesicaria sativa, as it's known in Latin, is recognizable in your salad and herb cooler by its elongated lobed leaves (reminiscent of an oak leaf) and has a mild peppery flavor with a hint of bitterness.
Not sure what to do with it? Nothing's simpler than tossing it with your favorite vinaigrette or dressing and eating it as-is, but you can also make a pesto out of it in lieu of basil, you can make an extra peppery chimichurri out of it in lieu of parsley, or you can toss it and a little bit of cilantro with some lime juice and use it to top a burger with pickled jalapeno slices and pepperjack cheese for a Mexican twist on a traditional American sandwich.
Those of you feeling particularly adventurous and who are at or over the minimum legal drinking age in your respective location can even mix up an unusual cocktail by muddling a handful of "rocket" first in the bottom of your glass or cocktail shaker.
However you can find it--be it in a bag of pre-washed Spring Mix, in bulk next to the spinach, or, for an exceptional treat, the wild-harvested variety at your local farmer's market--work some arugula into your diet today!
