Fresh this Month: Rocket

We often grow red wild rocket with mixed salad leaves

 Left: rocket, centre: red wild rocket growing with mizuma in our polytunnel

Rocket, also known as arugula or roquette, is a flavoursome and versatile green that's awesome in salads, sandwiches, wraps or even on top of a pizza. It's easy to grow and one small patch in your garden will provide you with cut-and-come-again saladings from the whole season, self seeding as well if you let it. But did you know that rocket is also one of the most nutritious of greens? 
Rocket is a member of the mustard family, which includes those goodness-packed cruciferous veggies like kale and broccoli, so you can guess it will be good for you. Here's the lowdown:

• Per 110g, rocket provides nearly half your RDA of potassium, 25% of your Vitamin C, 16% of your calcium, 8% of your iron and 11% of your magnesium.There's also 5% of your daily Vitamin B6 in there.
• The sulfur compounds that pungent rocket leaves contain, in common with other members of the brassicas/ crucifers are potent anti-cancer agents.
• The chlorophyll in rocket is great as a blood cleanser and for healthy skin.
• Rocket, along with cauliflower, is a source of vitamin K, which helps the bones.
• Rocket's high water content helps keep you hydrated.
• The high levels of iron and copper in rocket make it a great substitute for spinach
• The potassium found in rocket promotes cardiovascular health.
• Rocket is an alkaline forming food and reduces inflammation in the body.

(Sources: Wikipedia, healthmunsta)

Rockin' Rocket Fact: it is called rocket because it grows so fast!