Rocket – an herbaceous perennial plant from the cabbage family, often called rocket salad or arugula. Its appearance resembles radish: upon sowing, small sprouts appear within 5‑6 days, and within 20–25 days the sprout reaches a height of about 20–22 cm. The leaves are thin and lobed, possessing a characteristic nutty‑mustard aroma, which intensifies with longer storage in the field.
The plant is characterized by unpretentiousness and frost resistance: it can be sown in spring and summer, as well as used during the cold season. For intensive growth, the optimal temperature regime is +16–18 °C; under good lighting, the plant quickly gains mass. From one square meter with proper care, 1–1.5 kg of greens can be harvested.
Rocket is rich in vitamins (A, group B, PP, C, E), macro- and microelements (potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, iodine). Young leaves are used in fresh salads, pizza, pasta, as well as a side dish for meat and fish dishes. Flowers are added as spices to dishes, while seeds are used for the production of mustard and oil.
