Wild Arugula

A powerhouse food with great detoxifying benefits, Wild Arugula has a more intense pepper flavor than other types of arugula.  It's strong pepper taste makes it a great addition to other dishes including pasta dishes, soups, stews, and sauces.  If you want to enjoy it as a salad, it's best when paired with other leafy greens and drizzled with a vinaigrette or when wilted and used in pasta or side dishes.   It also makes a great garnish for dishes.

---

Storage Tips

Wash and dry it thoroughly before storing.  To dry, you can use a salad spinner to remove as much moisture as possible.  Spread the leaves out on a towel and let them air dry for about 20 minutes. Line one side of a plastic storage bag with a paper towel, add Arugula to the bag (loosely), then place a paper towel on top of the arugula.  When you seal your storage bag, squeeze out the excess air before sealing.  This will slow down the breathing process of the arugula while being stored in the fridge, helping it to last longer.  Store it in the refrigerator crisper drawer and it can last up to a week if kept cool and dry. 

Nutrition

Wild arugula is low in calories and packed with nutrients including vitamin A, K, and C, folate, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and a lot of phytochemicals.   Arugula is among the top 10 most nutrient-dense foods you can eat.  ​

Ways to Enjoy Wild Arugula

Arugula can be used in so many ways including fresh, steamed, sauteed, wilted, or even blended.  Here are just a few ways you can incorporate it into your cooking.

1. Salads - With it's intense peppery flavor, wild arugula is best used in a salad when mixed with a lot of other leafy greens.  The arugula will give the salad a "peppery punch".  Drizzle the salad with a vinaigrette dressing to offset the pepper taste.
2. Toppings & Garnishes - Dice up the arugula into small pieces and use it as a topping for your next homemade pizza.  Add it as a garnish to roasted potatoes or vegetable side dishes.
3. Wilted into Soups & Pastas - Toss it in to your next pot of pasta (with Pasta Peddlers choices from the web store of course!) and watch it wilt down into a delicious addition to your dish.  Or add it to your next pot of soup. 
4. Make a Pesto - Do you love pesto?  Try using arugula instead of basil, or combine the two. Toss roasted potatoes with arugula pesto for a spicy potato side dish.​
5. Substitute for Lettuce - If you love that peppery taste on your sandwiches, try swapping out the lettuce with arugula, or add a few leaves to the lettuce.

Wild Arugula Recipes

Spicy Arugula & Chicken Soup Recipe from: UpRoot Kitchen
Use the Wild Arugula this week with your onions, tomatoes to make this spicy chicken soup. Add cooked chicken or chicken sausage, top with your leftover pea sprouts and you have a delicious spring soup!

Wild Arugula Pesto Recipe from: Grow Forage Cook Ferment
For a spicy addition to your Pasta Peddlers pasta, use the wild arugula to create a pesto.  

Mediterranean Spinach and Arugula Salad Recipe from: YepRecipes
Looking for a spring salad?  Pair a handful of arugula with fresh spinach, add some bell peppers, red onion and cucumbers, and top with some local goat or feta cheese (found in the web store).