ROCKET -- BUT NOT TO THE MOON

Americans call it arugula. I have no idea why. Italians, at least in these parts, call it rochetta and I know it as rocket. It has other names: Dame's Rocket, rucchette, Dame's Violet and Vesper Flower. Its botanical name is Hesperis matronalis. It is a native of Italy but grows throughout Europe. It is said to have grown in profusion throught the ruins of the great fire in London in 1666.

In flower language it represents deceit because it gives out a beautiful perfume in the evening but in the daytime has none. This also gives it the name vesper flower, or Hesperis, because it is at vespers that the scent emerges.

It is used mostly in salads because of its cress-like sharpness but in the way of things in the foodie world it has become fashionable and faddish and food magazines suggest cooking with it. I wouldn't. Too much of it, like too much of many things, can make you throw up. Apart from that, it is chock full of Vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, iron, some magnesium and calcium. Almost no calories.

It should be eaten while in leaf but not in flower. The flavour can get very strong. A favourite here is red and green salad, rocket and radicchio. I must dig these up, chuck them out and plant new. I'll do that right now.