Grocery
Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley
What it is
This is a bunch of fresh, flat-leaf parsley. It has bright green leaves and a slightly peppery, clean flavor. Flat-leaf parsley, also known as Italian parsley, has a more robust taste than curly parsley. It is a common herb used in kitchens around the world. The leaves are flat and broad, making them easy to chop and incorporate into dishes. It is often sold in bunches tied together with a rubber band or twist tie.
How people cook with it
Fresh parsley is a versatile herb that adds brightness and a fresh, herbaceous note to many dishes.
- Garnish for soups and stews
- Chopped into salads
- Mixed into sauces
- Added to marinades
To prepare fresh parsley, first rinse the bunch under cool running water. Gently pat the leaves dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner. You can then strip the leaves from the stems by holding the stem and running your fingers down it. Discard the tough stems. For most recipes, you will want to finely chop the leaves. It can be added raw to dishes just before serving for maximum freshness, or it can be cooked into sauces and stews where its flavor will meld with other ingredients.
How it differs from similar foods
Flat-leaf parsley has a stronger, more pronounced flavor compared to curly parsley. Curly parsley is often used primarily as a garnish due to its less intense taste and more decorative appearance. The flat leaves of this variety are also easier to chop finely and integrate into cooked dishes.
Who it is for
Home cooks and professional chefs use fresh parsley to enhance the flavor and appearance of their meals.
How to keep the rest
To keep the rest of your fresh parsley vibrant, trim the ends of the stems and place the bunch in a glass with about an inch of water, like a bouquet of flowers. Cover the top loosely with a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator. Change the water every couple of days if it becomes cloudy.