United Flavors of America – Connecticut’s Arugula

Connecticut’s Arugula

Often called ‘garden rocket’, this delicious leaf has a pungent and peppery flavor that will blast your greens to new heights. Colder temperatures and a shorter growing season make arugula the star of Connecticut produce. Compared to lettuce, it’s loaded with 8 times the calcium, 5 times the Vitamins A, C & K and 4 times the iron. Arugula’s glucosinolates also help prevent cancer and regulate immune function.

Make this Arugula Pesto as an alternative to traditional basil pesto:

2 cups packed arugula leaves

½ cup shelled walnuts

½ cup Parmesan cheese

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

6 garlic cloves

Salt to taste

Brown unpeeled garlic cloves over medium heat. Peel. Toast walnuts over medium heat. Pulse arugula, salt, walnuts and garlic in food processor while drizzling in olive oil. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Serve over pasta or roasted potatoes, or as pizza sauce.

Sources

http://www.livestrong.com/article/5381-need-health-benefits-arugula/

http://yourorganicgardeningblog.com/arugula-is-the-easiest-fastest-plant-to-grow-its-tasty-too/