Rocket: The winter staple bringing flavour and health
In winter, we opt for it more willingly than lettuce. Its leaves are more robust and do not wilt as quickly, ensuring you always have something green in the fridge. It's a splendid addition to sandwiches and salads, so it's worth understanding how to handle rocket properly.
We treat rocket like lettuce and use it similarly. Most often, we make salads from it and add it to sandwiches. Italians even use it on pizza. However, rocket belongs to the cruciferous vegetables. It's related to radish and horseradish, which explains its strong, slightly spicy, and nutty flavour.
For flavour and health
The small, serrated leaves of rocket are packed with vitamins and minerals. Notably, it contains vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals such as potassium and iron. Thanks to these, it supports the immune system. It also contains ingredients that speed up digestion and positively affect intestinal flora, making it an excellent addition to a winter diet. The best taste comes from fresh, firm leaves, which can stay like that for a long time if properly cared for.
How to store rocket?
This time of year, it's easiest to buy packaged rocket. But is it enough to just store the plastic package in the fridge? This is not an effective way to keep rocket fresh for an extended period—in fact, it can dry out or rot faster.
Begin by sorting the leaves and discarding any that are dried out, heavily crushed, or especially rotten. If left, the rocket will spoil much faster. It's advisable to transfer the leaves to a sealed container lined with a damp paper towel. The towel should be just slightly moist to prevent the leaves from drying out. Opt for a larger container to give the leaves sufficient space so they're not crushed.
Rocket perfect for pesto
Need to use rocket quickly? Make a salad. It pairs especially well with tomatoes, avocados, eggs, and various cheeses like mozzarella, feta, or parmesan. If you wish to use it quickly and store it, make rocket pesto. It should be stored in the fridge and consumed within 5 days.
Rocket Pesto
Ingredients:
- One cup of fresh rocket,
- 2 tablespoons of walnuts,
- 2 tablespoons of parmesan,
- 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil,
- 1 clove of garlic,
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation:
- Wash the rocket and dry it thoroughly with a paper towel.
- Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
- Blend for a few minutes until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
