Rocket Arugula/Roquette Seeds - (Eruca sativa)

Rocket Arugula - Make Your Salad Rock!

A great cut and come again plant, this annual adds a refreshing tangy spiciness to salads, sandwiches, and sauces. Rocket Arugula goes by many names, depending on the area - in North America it’s known as arugula – from the Italian word rucola – but it’s called aruculu in Southern Italy, while in Northern Italy it's called "rocket" in many places. Its other common names include garden rocket and eruca, "ruchetta", "rucola", "rucoli", "rugula", "colewort", and "roquette".

Oftentimes, the age and shape of the leaves indicates how spicy or peppery the flavors will be. The sharper or more toothed the edges, the more bite they will have. Mature leaves are hotter, more peppery than younger ones.

Mediterranean, Italian, and French cuisines pair particularly well with rocket arugula.

Details

Arugula thrives in cool weather. Succession sowing will ensure a longer season of young, tender leaves, since plants grow rapidly. You can eat the thinnings.

History

The name arugula is an Italian corruption of the Latin word eruca, or "colewort" and reflects this plants Mediterranean origin. Popular in Italian cuisine and grown as an aromatic salad green in Europe for many years. Ancient Romans were also known to have eaten its leaves and used the seeds for flavoring oils.

Uses

Has a rather nutty flavor when the shoots are young, becoming sharper, peppery or mustard like when older. Used with other herbs such as sorrel and garlic in soups and stews. It is currently enjoying resurgence as a popular salad green as all of the plant is edible with a long harvest season.

Growing Tip

Arugula if left to flower will self-seed prolifically.

Learn More

• Arugula - the Wild, Ancient, Hip and Versatile Green
• Cool Season Vegetables to Love
• Succession Planting - Boosting Garden Production
• Hortopita or Greek Spring Greens Quiche

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