What is rocket?

Rocket is a very 'English' leaf, and has been used in salads since Elizabethan times. It has a strong, peppery flavour, and the leaves have a slight 'bite' to them. If you see 'rucola' or 'arugula' for sale or on a restaurant menu, it's the same thing.

How to prepare rocket

Just rinse rocket and you’re ready to go.

How to cook rocket

Mix with other salad leaves; throw a handful on top of pasta or a pizza. You can also wilt it into pasta dishes or eggs – just add at the last minute to retain the peppery flavour.

Recipe suggestions:

Blitz into a rocket pesto to stir through pasta or spoon over mozzarella. Fold into a prawn, fennel & rocket risotto, or scatter over a mushroom, ricotta & rocket tart.

Egg & rocket pizzas are healthy and quick to make. Balsamic steaks with beetroot & rocket are easy but impressive.

How to store rocket

Store in the bottom part of your fridge, in brown paper or a perforated bag. It will last for a maximum of two days.

When is rocket in season?

Available year-round in supermarkets. Rocket is incredibly easy to grow, in fact, it could take over your whole veg patch.

Learn how to grow your own rocket from the experts at Gardeners’ World.

Choose the best rocket

Look for perky dark-bright green leaves. Avoid those that look slimy, yellowed or browning, as they’re past their best.

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