Sedano, Sedano Rapa

Celery is very versatile plant that is as valuable both as a herb and as a vegetable. There are two basic varieties. One is a plant with a long stem of deep green on the outside and creamy white on the inside. The other variety is sedano rapa (turnip-rooted celery or celeriac) which grows mainly underground in a round root. The leaves of this root are usually sold as a herb for salads and soups. They have a strong scent and their skins are quite tough but full of flavour.

Celery is grown almost everywhere in Italy but most notably in Puglia, Calabria and Campania, while Sicily cultivates a small amount of stick celery which has very small stems and larger leaves than flat parsley. It is mostly used in the local speciality called caponata which is made with aubergine, celery, onion, capers and pitted green olives, all stewed with the best extra-virgin olive oil, a little sugar and vinegar.