Is That a Rocket in Your Garden?

Let’s launch into the history of arugula.

I set out to write about the nutritional benefits of this easy-to-grow plant from my garden when I discovered its “seedier” history.

Arugula in the garden. Photo by the author

Eruca vesicaria

Eruca is Latin for “rocket”. It is the genus name. Eruca vesicaria is the scientific name for what North Americans call arugula. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the American English name was popularized in an article in the New York Times food section in 1960. The article described this trendy and spicy green, that was used as a “secret” ingredient in Italian dishes.

“The fact of the matter is that this green with the pungent and fascinating flavor goes by different names from one market to the next. Ask Italian greengrocer for arugula, rucola, or ruccoli; ask other markets for rouquette, rocket salad or, simply, rocket.” — Craig Claiborne, New York Times, May 24, 1960.

Mr. Claiborne gives a recipe for “Rocket Canapes” that calls for “1 bunch of rocket salad (arugula)”. In one line he uses two names for the same green. We will call the plant, Eruca vesicaria, arugula.

Presently if you search online for a recipe on the New York Times food section for arugula, it is not a rare ingredient. There are over 336 recipes for dishes…