Also known in England as “rocket”, arugula is a leafy green in the brassica family of plants (the same family that includes, among many others, cabbage, mustard, kale, and horseradish) renowned for its soft, easy texture and brilliantly peppery flavor profile. Though it’s seen an uptick in interest from diners in the U.S. in recent decades, it’s been a staple of salads and other savory cooking since the days of ancient Rome. Trader Joe’s Wild Arugula contains a particular cultivar of arugula with an even more pronounced peppery taste, which arrives to use triple-washed and ready to use for all sorts of situations.

For starters, it makes an excellent salad green (why not do as the Romans do, after all?), espeically when paired up with a hearty protein like roasted chicken or grilled shrimp. We also like the soft, yet subtly snappy texture our Wild Arugula adds to sandwiches and hamburgers. It’s been known to add a bit of visual flare and textural variety on top of fresh-from-the-oven pizzas, and can even be used to make an out-of-this-world, peppery pesto — we even provide a great, easy recipe for the latter on the back of the package.