Celery

Appearance: Celery is an herbaceous plant with long, crisp green stalks, often grouped in bunches. The leaves are green and serrated. While people typically consume only the celery stalks, the leaves can also be used in cooking!

Texture and Flavor: Celery has a crisp and juicy texture. Its flavor is fresh and slightly salty, with a very subtle bitterness. The leaves, on the other hand, have a more pronounced and herbaceous flavor.

Buying: When buying celery, look for firm, straight, and crispy stalks that are vibrant green. The leaves should be fresh and not wilted or softened. Avoid stalks that appear limp or have brown spots, as the celery may not be as fresh.

How to Use It? Celery is highly versatile in the kitchen. Here are a few ideas to incorporate it into your dishes:

• Raw: Cut the stalks into sticks to dip in hummus or other dips. They pair well with fresh carrots and radishes for a variety of crudités!

• Salads: They can also be added to salads for a crunchy touch. Similarly, celery leaves can be easily incorporated into summer salads!

• Soups and Broths: Celery works well in soups, stews, and broths, adding an aromatic and slightly salty flavor to your recipes.

• Sautés: Use celery in vegetable stir-fries or meat dishes to add texture.

Harvest Season: In Quebec, celery is typically harvested from mid-July to mid-November. However, it is available year-round due to imports.

Storage:

• Refrigerator: Store whole celery in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. It can keep for about two weeks.

• Freezing: For longer storage, cut celery into pieces, blanch them, and then freeze. This way, they can be kept for several months.

  
  

Additional Tip: If your celery has become slightly wilted, soak it in a bowl of cold water. It will become crispy again within the day! This trick also works for carrots.

Nutritional Information: Celery is rich in fiber, which promotes good digestion. However, our bodies better utilize (or “use”) the fiber when celery is cooked. It is also an excellent source of vitamins K, B, and C, as well as potassium. These nutrients play various roles in the body, including bone health, vascular health, and immune system support. Additionally, celery contains antioxidants that contribute to overall good health!