At the Ferry Building Farmer's Market on Saturday, we saw a delectable salad green called mâche. Known by other names such as corn salad and lamb's lettuce, it's believed by historians and literary buffs to be the rapunzel plant - the very one that grew in the witch's garden that Rapunzel's mother longed for, and gave up her only child for.
While we wouldn't give up our child for an unlimited supply of mâche, we do enjoy eating it in the spring. After eating lettuce all winter long, it's a refreshing change to the palate. Mâche is more popular in Europe, but in recent years it's been turning up on American tables. In Europe, it is often found growing wild in the fields.
Mâche is a nutrition powerhouse, packed with vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. The leaves are very tender and bright green, and somewhat succulent in texture. The taste and aroma is very fresh and sweet. It's quite easy to prepare - simply wash off the leaves and spin them dry, as you would do with other greens. We prefer to toss them lightly in a little hazelnut or walnut oil with a chopped clove of garlic or two, and perhaps a sprinkling of salt. Mâche can also be steamed or sautéed like spinach.
(Image from Recipe Tips)
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this is really good. my mom used to grow it in the veggie garden and when i was little i was used to just go in and pick at it and it is out of my hands.
delicious with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and a fresh basil.
or with any white fish is super good.
and FYI in Piemonte (where im from) this is called "sarset" or commonly known as valeriana.
view troz's profile
I just tasted it recently. It was available at Trader Joe's tastes great tossed with a light dressing. I can only guess how much better it is fresh from a farmer's market.
view Darlene's profile
If you never taste mâche, you must eat some at least once to know what you are missing. Mâche is on my top 3 list of green leaves.
The Farmer's Market is such a treat. On my last visit two weeks ago, the veggies were awesome with a lots of choices.
view At Home with kim vallee's profile
OOOOHHHH I love mâche! We ate it a lot when I lived in France. It's so rarely found here in Alabama, and when it is, it's expensive. We used to eat it with a white dressing called sauce crudité - if anyone knows where to find that, I'd be so happy. You can't find anything like it here. Or at least, I can't.
view elizabeth in AL's profile
I grew mâche in my Toronto garden last summer - very easy. I think it would also do well in a container garden. In some regions in can be grown throughout the winter in a cold frame.
view peacelily's profile
Interesting. I'd never heard of it before this. I'll look for it the next time in the store.
The New Cook
view Andy2's profile
I make a salad with it. Pecans or walnuts, orange segments, red onions marinated in the orange juice and a little good cheese. Some honey mustard vinagrette and then I eat it. With my fists.
view Zora 's profile
I seem to recall this being referred to as "ramps" in the Rapunzel stories.
view Bx's profile
we are fortunate to be able to eat it all the time -- it is available in french grocery stores year-round, and it is among my favourite greens...
yet another reason I feel so lucky to be here on posting (besides the chicken)...
...but all the greens in France are wonderful -- there are so many lettuces that we never see in North america -- we should have a lettuce revolution! the tender sweet and bitter lettuces here have made me fall in love with salads all over again...
view mschatelaine's profile
p.s it is also called lamb's lettuce
view mschatelaine's profile
also called Valeriana or Songino (at least here in Italy). My Favorite salad greens :)
view sanna's profile
I saw some of this at the store yesterday, and I'll go back to get some!
view sarahduckie's profile
Oh, I so love mâche! It's become our go to green here in Paris b/c we can use it for salad, or toss some into a dish - say stir fry or even cauliflower gratin - or add it to soup, or lightly steam or sauté it (although my favorite is just drizzled with the tiniest bit of good oil and sea salt)
view Hannala's profile