All you need to know about Rocket. Natures most versatile herb.
Origin
‘Rocket’ or Roquette originates from the Mediterranean region where it has been a popular salad herb since the Roman times. This annual, low-growing herb comes from the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and is known for its spicy, peppery, mustard-like flavour.
While this punchy salad herb is commonly known in Britain and New Zealand as Rocket, in the United States it is more commonly known as arugula. The different names all refer to the same edible leaves and stem from the same Latin root, however they have been influenced by different Romance languages (Italian, French) and dialects over the last 2000 years.
Here at The Produce Company, we are proud to work with our growers to provide you with crisp dark-bright green, firm Roquette leaves with little to no blemishes.
Exploring the taste of Rocket
Liven up your next dish with the unmistakable bite of Rocket
Rocket’s delicate texture and punchy, peppery taste make it ideal to be mixed with other leafy greens in a bold-flavoured salad. It pairs well with fresh, seasonal fruit: tomatoes and garlic during the autumn and pomegranate seeds, blood oranges or mandarins in the winter. Vinegar or citrus is often used to balance its flavour.
But Rocket isn’t limited to its use in a salad, it can be incorporated into a range of other dishes or enjoyed on its own with a splash of extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and squeeze of lemon. Leaning on its Mediterranean roots, Rocket goes very well when tossed through pasta dishes or sprinkled on top of pizza before serving. If you are feeling adventurous, it can also be added to your beef carpaccio.
No matter how you choose to use Rocket in your next culinary masterpiece, this versatile herb is packed with nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, calcium, and is rich in antioxidants.
