That peppery, delicious, vitamin-packed leafy green. Rich in vitamin C and potassium and hailing from the lands of the Mediterannean. And what a name...a-roo-gu-la. It just rolls off the tounge. To my ear, it doesn't sound as healty as it is. The "oo" sound and the "gu" sound just make it sound creamy and cheesy (though, I think mac and cheese with arugula probably isn't that tasty...).
It also sounds like the sound an old tugboat makes pulling out of the harbor in the misty morning, off to do tugboat work. It doesn't mind that it's up early, out the door. It also doesn't mind that it's making such an insanely loud noise that it wakes up all the poor folks living in badly insulated apartments down by the boatyard. "A-ROO-GLA!"
There is a street nearby called Romaine. The other half and I keep looking for Arugula St. to be nearby. And maybe Radicchio Ave. Endive Way should be just around the corner, right?
Something about this leafy green's name just makes it more than itself, IMHO.
And actually, this green is so awesome, that it has not just one amazing name, but two. Known as rocket in Jolly Old, among other places. Rocket? Like blasting off into a delicious world? Destined to be the first leafy green to be discussed by the G-20? How awesome is that?
My favorite arugula/rocket salad is so easy. Amazing with steak, or anything else in need of a bossy green. Just toss your a-roo-gu-la with a little extra virgin olive oil, freshly cracked black pepper, and some tasty sea salt. If you must sully the beauty of the greens, a little parmesean cheese shaving and some cherry tomatoes don't gild the lily too much.
Happy crunching!
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