rocket salad

origin: 

in contrary to common belief, rocket, or arugula, is not a salad but a cruciferous vegetable that belongs to the mustard family. the mustard characteristics of this plant show itself in the slightly peppery taste. the strongness of this taste depends on the weather conditions the plant grew in and when it was harvested. rocket that grew in colder weather and is harvested in spring or fall, has a mild taste. rocket that grew in warmer seasons increasingly bitters and mature rocket is so bitter that it is even unpalatable. rocket originates in the Mediterranean region and is now a popular leaf for salads in many countries. 

properties:

like all green leaf plants, rocket is also very low in calories and therefore also low in all macronutrients. nevertheless it contains a high dose of fibre, antioxidants and vitamins and minerals. the main vitamin in rocket is vitamin k, closely followed by vitamin a and c. it further contains iron, folate, calcium, copper, magnesium and manganese. 

health benefits:

all cruciferous vegetables are extremely healthy because of their high dose of many different vitamins and minerals. together, these protect against different illnesses ranging from cancer, to diabetes or osteoporosis. the high amount of antioxidants protects cells from damage which also benefits outer appearance and promotes a healthy skin. three special benefits of rocket are that it is great for prenatal and pregnant women because of its high amount of folate, it helps with the absorption of other minerals and treats erectile dysfunction in men and used in medicine like viagra. 

use: 

young rocket leaves can be used in many different ways. the most popular ones are as the base of a salad or as a topping. rocket is great to sprinkle on top of pizza or paired with another tomato based dish. it also works well on a sandwich or as the base of a homemade pesto with parmesan, pine nuts and some olive oil.

looking for more? just come by and visit our healthy fast food restaurants in the city centre of groningen and hamburg. we offer fresh, healthy, and delicious bowls, rucola salads and juices for pickup and delivery!