Celery Sensations

Trivia

Celery has been around for a long time. The Romans used it in funeral wreaths. Medieval apothecaries included celery juice in their potions. And way back in 200 B.C., the Chinese recorded it as a blood pressure remedy.

How To Buy It

– Look for firm ribs and tightly formed stalks.
– Check the leaves. Opt for green, crisp foliage versus yellow and wilted.
– The darker the green colour of the celery the stronger in taste and the higher in nutrients. However, dark green celery may be more bitter and stringy than lighter versions.

How To Store

Celery stores for two weeks or more in a plastic bag in your refrigerator. This vegetable is frost sensitive so keep it away from the coldest parts of your fridge (side walls and back). Don’t wash or trim it until just before using. If you mist it with water occasionally, you’ll keep it from drying out.

Have A Heart

Celery hearts are the tender centres of a celery stalk and they’re sometimes sold. packaged, several to a bag. Make your own, simply by tearing off the outer stalks until you reach the tender centre. Try slicing them lengthwise in half and braising with leeks and carrots in vegetable stock/soup.

Good Stuff

Raw celery sticks are perfect for stuffing. Favourites include cream cheese, cheese substitutes and peanut butter.

Low-Cal

Like cucumbers and iceberg lettuce, celery is a low-calorie vegetable bursting with water—95 percent, to be exact. There are less than 10 calories per stalk and it’s high in soluble fibre and a good source of potassium. Celery contains Vitamin C and folacin, but in small amounts.

Don’t Toss the Leaves

Celery leaves are full of nutrients and flavour. They can be boiled until tender then sautéed with olive oil and garlic. Try substituting celery leaves for parsley in your next recipe and remember to perk up you next pot of homemade stock with these flavourful leaves.

Say Fillings

Celery and fillings are made for each other. Try braising celery hearts until tender, sprinkling with a cheese substitute and then you can cook under the broiler until bubbly and golden brown. This works well with various fillings like peanut butter as well.