YELLOW ROCKET

Scientific Name: Barbarea vulgaris

Flavour: Yellow Rocket has a peppery, slightly bitter, and mustard-like flavour. It adds a tangy and spicy kick to dishes.

Growing Season: Yellow Rocket typically grows during the spring and summer months, from late March to early August.

Native Region: Yellow Rocket is native to Europe, including the British Isles, and can be found in various regions worldwide.

Traditional Recipe: Yellow Rocket Pesto

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of Yellow Rocket leaves, washed and dried

  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1/3 cup of pine nuts or walnuts

  • 2 cloves of garlic, peeled

  • 1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Place the Yellow Rocket leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts or walnuts, and garlic cloves in a food processor.

Pulse the ingredients until coarsely chopped.

Gradually add the olive oil while pulsing, until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Taste and adjust the flavors if desired by adding more garlic, cheese, or olive oil.

Transfer the Yellow Rocket pesto to a jar or container, and store it in the refrigerator.

Use the pesto as a spread, dip, or sauce for pasta, sandwiches, or roasted vegetables.

Health Properties: Yellow Rocket is known for its potential health properties. It is a member of the Brassicaceae family, which includes other cruciferous vegetables known for their nutritional benefits. Yellow Rocket is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals such as calcium and iron. It contains glucosinolates, compounds that have been studied for their potential anticancer properties. Yellow Rocket also provides dietary fiber and is low in calories.

Growing Technique:

Location: Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot in your garden for growing Yellow Rocket. It can tolerate a range of soil types but prefers fertile, well-drained soil.

Planting: Yellow Rocket can be grown from seeds. Sow the seeds directly in the garden in early spring or early autumn. Space the seeds about 15-20 centimeters apart and cover them lightly with soil.

Maintenance: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. Mulching can help retain moisture and suppress weed growth around the plants.

Harvesting: Harvest Yellow Rocket leaves when they are young and tender, usually around 4-6 weeks after sowing. Gently pluck the leaves from the base of the plant, leaving some leaves for continuous growth.

Self-seeding: Yellow Rocket is known to self-seed, and new plants may sprout in the vicinity. If you wish to control its spread, remove any unwanted seedlings.