Your Bolted Arugula is Not Finished
For many gardeners, the sight of an arugula plant sending up a tall flower stalk, or 'bolting,' marks the end of its useful life in the garden. However, this is far from the truth. In fact, bolting signals a new harvest opportunity. As the flowers fade, the plant produces elongated seed pods, botanically known as siliqua, which are a tender, peppery, and delicious part of the plant. Instead of pulling up the plant, you can extend your harvest by gathering these crunchy pods.
The Anatomy of an Edible Arugula Plant
Contrary to popular belief that only the leaves are edible, arugula is a fully versatile plant. The leaves, flowers, and immature pods can all be used in cooking, each offering a slightly different flavor profile.
- Leaves: The classic, peppery leaves are harvested when young for the best flavor. As the plant matures and bolts, the leaves often become more bitter or spicy.
- Flowers: The small, creamy white flowers with purple veins have a milder peppery flavor than the leaves and make for a beautiful and tasty garnish on salads or other savory dishes.
- Seed Pods: When harvested young, the pods offer a satisfying, crunchy texture and a punch of peppery flavor. They can be compared to the pods of other brassica relatives, like radishes.
When to Harvest Arugula Pods
Timing is key for harvesting arugula pods. For the best culinary experience, you want them young and tender, not dry and mature. If you wait too long, the pods will become tough and the seeds inside will harden, although the mature seeds can still be used for pressing oil or other purposes.
- Monitor the Plant: After your arugula flowers bloom and the petals drop, small, elongated green pods will begin to form along the flower stalk.
- Look for Tenderness: The ideal time to harvest is when the pods are still bright green, firm, and plump. They should snap easily when you test them, much like a fresh green bean.
- Use Scissors: Simply snip the pods from the stalk using herb scissors or small garden snips.
- Harvest Frequently: Harvesting regularly will encourage the plant to produce more pods throughout its bolting phase. This is similar to a 'cut-and-come-again' approach for leafy greens.
- For Seeds Only: If your goal is to save the seeds for replanting or culinary use, let the pods dry and turn brown on the plant. Harvest them into a paper bag to catch any seeds that shatter.
Culinary Uses for Arugula Pods
The peppery crunch of arugula pods makes them a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Here are some ways to incorporate them into your meals:
Raw Applications
- Garnish: Chop them up and sprinkle over salads, soups, or avocado toast for a peppery kick and crunchy texture.
- Salads: Toss whole pods into a mixed greens salad for a surprising and delightful element.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Add a few pods to your sandwiches or wraps, similar to how you would add sprouts or extra greens.
Cooked Applications
- Pickling: Like radish pods, arugula pods can be pickled for a flavorful, tangy, and crunchy snack.
- Stir-Fries: Toss them into a stir-fry at the end of cooking to maintain their crisp texture while infusing a peppery flavor.
- Sautéing: Lightly sauté the pods with garlic and olive oil as a simple side dish.
- Soups and Stews: Add them to soups or stews just before serving for a final pop of flavor and texture.
Comparing Arugula Pods and Arugula Leaves
| Feature | Arugula Leaves (before bolting) | Arugula Pods (immature) |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Peppery, mild when young, spicier and more bitter with age. | Peppery, crunchy, with a flavor often compared to a radish pod. |
| Texture | Tender, leafy, and delicate. | Firm, crisp, and crunchy. |
| Primary Use | Salads, sandwiches, pesto. | Garnish, salads, pickling, stir-fries. |
| Harvest Time | When leaves are young and tender. | When pods are green and plump, after flowering. |
| Nutritional Profile | Rich in Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Calcium, and antioxidants. | Shares the nutritional benefits of the leaves, including glucosinolates. |
Conclusion
While many people focus solely on the peppery leaves of arugula, the edible seed pods are a delicious and overlooked part of the plant. By harvesting them young and tender, you can enjoy a crunchy, flavorful addition to a variety of raw and cooked dishes. So, the next time you see your arugula bolting, don't despair—it's just offering you a new opportunity to enjoy its full, peppery potential. For more information on using different parts of edible plants, consider consulting resources like the Cleveland Clinic's nutrition guides for healthy eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you eat arugula after it has bolted? Yes, you can still eat the arugula after it has bolted. While the leaves might become more spicy or bitter, the flowers and young seed pods are still delicious and perfectly safe to consume.
2. Do arugula pods taste the same as arugula leaves? No, the flavors are similar but different. Arugula pods have a distinctively peppery flavor and a satisfying crunch, which is often likened to that of a radish pod, while the leaves are tender and peppery.
3. How do you prepare arugula pods for eating? Young pods can be eaten raw, added directly to salads, or used as a garnish. They can also be lightly sautéed, pickled, or added to stir-fries towards the end of cooking to maintain their crispness.
4. Is it safe to eat mature, dry arugula pods? Mature, dry pods are not typically eaten for their texture, as they become tough. The seeds inside, however, are edible and are sometimes pressed for oil or used in cooking, similar to mustard seeds, assuming they are from an untreated plant.
5. Can you collect and save arugula seeds? Yes, to save seeds, allow the pods to mature on the plant until they turn brown and dry. Snip the stalks and hang them upside down in a paper bag to catch the seeds as they drop.
6. What is the botanical name for arugula pods? The scientific name for the fruit of an arugula plant, or seed pod, is a siliqua.
7. What are the nutritional benefits of arugula pods? Like the rest of the arugula plant, the pods are a good source of vitamins C and K, and antioxidants. They also contain glucosinolates, which may have disease-preventing properties.
8. Can you pickle arugula pods? Yes, pickling is a popular way to preserve arugula pods. The process is similar to pickling other vegetables, such as green beans or radish pods.
9. What should I do with arugula pods if I don't want to eat them? If you don't wish to eat them, you can let the plant go to seed. This will often lead to new arugula plants self-seeding and sprouting in the garden the next season.
10. What's the difference between arugula pods and radish pods? Both are from the brassica family and are edible. Arugula pods tend to be thinner and have a milder flavor profile compared to many radish pods, which can be larger and more intensely spicy.
