FOR FOODIES
this is a very minor question but we've been discussing it since June 09, our most recent trip to Italy. Every time we looked at a menu item for a salad in Italy, it said "with rocket." And radicchio shows up on our plate. What is "rocket"? Our theory is that Americans somehow thnk that radicchio is Italian for that kind of lettuce, or that Italians think that "rocket" is English for radicchio. We cannot figure this out. ok, it is very minor. we went to Italy two years in a row, and loved every minute of every city. we went to northern cities and some other countries in 2008, and Rome, then a cruse and back to Rome in 2009. But this salad issue is still making us laugh. Any ideas?
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Well , rocket is actually arugula,, which does not look like radiccho at all. I have always thought the term "with rocket" to simply mean with a side green salad( which will include arugula, and perhaps radiccho).
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
Radicchio is red and is slightly bitter in taste. What I am seeing more often abroad is Mache which is called Lamb's Lettuce in the UK. Both of these salad greens as well as arugula/rocket are available at Trader Joe's.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
As Pat stated, "rocket" is arugula. The menu was just translated using British English rather than American English.
British English - rocket
American English - arugula
Italian - rucola
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA, usa
8 posts
THANKS YOU ALL! You are so smart! I cannot wait to show my husband. I think you are right. It is arugula, or just any kind of lettuce. Problem solved.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA, usa
8 posts
and thanks for the Trader Joe's idea too. Also have seen it at Whole Foods and a mix including lots of kinds at Costco. But I need to return to Italy of course, for the real deal. And gelatto.
Posted by
Lebanon
711 posts
Hi... Arugula or rocket or also comes on pizza in Italy. It is really good. Mainly a cheese pizza with arugula. Actually you can get it everywhere in the US... you just have to ask. Krogers carries it and , as someone said , Trader Joes. Both places have it in a bag or a box. I get mine at a little fruit and vegetable market and it it much fresher. There are several kinds of arugula .. the wild kind is spicier. We had it in Italy several years ago and now we have it all the time ...in a salad, on Pizza, with tomatoes and black olives over pasta. You can find many recipes for it on the internet.