Parsley
Estimated Inventory, 60 ct : 4.95
This item was last sold on : 06/15/25
Description/Taste
Curly parsley is a leafy, shrublike herb that grows fairly slowly, reaching approximately 30 centimeters tall and wide, and as a biennial plant, it will produce umbels of tiny yellow flowers in its second year if allowed to mature. The plant has light green stems with thickly ruffled, dark-green triangular leaves of three leaflets that tightly curl at the divided tips. The leaves are tender and flavorful in the plant's first year but will become bitter and coarse when the plant begins to flower and seed, hence it is typically cultivated as an annual for culinary use. Curly parsley has a fresh, green, mildly grassy aroma and flavor with hints of citrus, clove, and nutmeg.
Seasons/Availability
Curly parsley is available year-round.
Current Facts
Curly parsley is botanically known as Petroselinum crispum and is in the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family, commonly referred to as the carrot or celery family. Members of this family, which includes other herbs like dill and fennel, are often referred to as umbellifers. The common name, "parsley," comes from the Greek word "petroselinon," which translates as "rock celery" and alludes to the plant's growth habit as it thrives on rocks and walls. Curly parsley is one of the two main cultivars, the other being the flat-leafed Italian parsley. In addition to its distinct frilly edges, Curly parsley also has darker and thicker leaves than its cousin and offers a milder flavor. Curly parsley is more prevalent in some areas of Europe and the Mediterranean, perhaps due to a history of confusion between the flat-leafed variety and a poisonous lookalike weed called "fool's parsley."
Nutritional Value
Curly parsley is packed with vitamin C, iron, and the natural antiseptic, chlorophyll. It is also a good source of folate, potassium, copper, zinc, and vitamins A, B, and K. The herb offers essential oils that contain compounds like limonene, eugenol, and myristicin, which give the herb its unique aroma, as well as its antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. Parsley has a history of medicinal use, from herbal medicine in Ancient Greece to Ayurvedic medicine in India. It has traditionally been used as a treatment for urinary tract infections or kidney and bladder problems and has been touted for its ability to improve digestion, detoxify the body, or even cleanse the palate and freshen breath.
Applications
Curly parsley can be used fresh or dried, but its lacy leaves are most frequently used fresh as a garnish for a pop of green color and flavor. While the more pungent flat-leaf parsley is often preferred for cooking, the two types can be used interchangeably and are best added at the end of the cooking process. Both the stems and leaves of Curly parsley can be washed, then finely chopped and added to hearty soups and stews like chowder, or more coarsely chopped for salads or coleslaws. Curly parsley is a particularly popular herb in Middle Eastern cuisine. It is the main herb for stuffing grape leaves and is a key ingredient in the classic Lebanese salad, tabbouleh, which is made of bulgur, mint, parsley, and vegetables. Parsley stems are also used in a classic bundle of herbs alongside thyme and bay leaf, called a 'bouquet garni,' traditionally used to infuse flavor into brines, sauces, and stocks. Curly parsley can liven up rice or grilled vegetables, impart a fresh taste in butter for potatoes, corn, and garlic bread, be added to pesto or tomato sauce, or be used in marinades for meat, fish, and poultry. Curly parsley also pairs especially well with shellfish, potatoes, leeks, cucumber, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, squash, garlic, chili flakes, lemon, and cream. Store fresh Curly parsley in a glass of fresh water in the refrigerator, loosely covered with a plastic bag for a week or two. Dried parsley can be stored in an airtight container for up to a year. Fresh Curly parsley can also be frozen, either chopped and stored in freezer bags or chopped and mixed with water and frozen in ice cube trays for about six months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Curly parsley has a rich cultural history dating back to ancient Greece. According to Greek mythology, parsley first grew from the blood of Archemorus, the forerunner of death, hence the herb's long association with death. Ancient Greeks used parsley in funeral rites and placed wreaths of the herb on the tombs of the dead. The Ancient Greeks even had a saying, De'eis thai selinon, "to need only parsley," which was a euphemistic expression comparable to saying "one foot in the grave." The Ancient Romans dedicated the herb to Persephone, queen of the underworld, and likewise used it in funeral ceremonies. Parsley's close ties with death followed it through history, and during the Medieval period, many superstitions surrounded the herb, including a legend that the plant grew so slowly because its seed had to travel to hell and back before it could grow. However, not all of the herb's allegories are so grim. In the Hebrew celebration of Passover, parsley is used as a rejuvenating symbol of spring and rebirth.
Geography/History
Curly parsley is native to the Mediterranean region of Southern Europe, though Carl Linnaeus believed it to be native to Southern France and the large island of Sardinia, specifically. It grows best in cooler climates where the summers don't get too hot or humid, and thrives in rich, moist soil. Parsley has been cultivated since ancient times and was used medicinally long before it was used as a seasoning. Historians believe it was during the Middle Ages that the herb began appearing in kitchens, and many credit Charlemagne, who was known to grow the herb in his gardens. By the 15th century, the use of Curly parsley had spread throughout Europe, and in the 17th century, it was brought by colonists to the United States, where it has since become naturalized. Curly parsley is one of the world's most popular herbs and can easily be found at grocery stores or farmer's markets.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Moxy San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-376-1850 |
| Shootz Fish X Beer (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 760-450-8070 |
| Rubicon Deli India Street | San Diego CA | 619-200-4201 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Siesel's Meats | San Diego CA | 619-275-1234 |
| Sabi Juice | Chula Vista CA | 619-971-8545 |
| Village Pizzaria | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Sandbar Sports Grill | San Diego CA | 858-488-1274 |
| The Cottage Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-775-1197 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
| Prey Brewing Company | Vista CA | 760-822-4226 |
| Blue Ocean La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0323 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
| Peace Pies | San Diego CA | 619-618-6960 |
| Casa | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
| Sonny's Pizza | San Diego CA | 619-432-1838 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| Revolution Roasters | Oceanside CA | 760-330-6827 |
| The Butchery | San Diego CA | 858-345-1524 |
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| The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
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| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Fresh Sushi Catering | Carlsbad CA | 858-344-7098 |
| My Chef | San Diego CA | 916-217-0049 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
| Harumama Noodles & Buns (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5737 |
| Home & Away - Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch) | San Marcos CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Pier 32 Water Front Grill | National City CA | 619-718-6240 |
| The Cottage Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-454-8409 |
| Fish Guts | San Diego CA | 619-888-0081 |
| Scion Health | Escondido California | 442-277-6167 |
| Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
| Rabbit Hole | San Diego CA | 619-255-4653 |
| The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Beginners Diner | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
| Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-232-1234 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Golden Door Bakery | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Pizza Cassette | San Diego CA | 802-310-5601 |
| Kaluu | San Diego CA | 619-338-9655 |
| Farm Fresh Meals | Vista CA | 760-707-2383 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
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| Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
| InterContinental San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-819-9500 |
| Culinary Kitchen Catering and Events | Coronado CA | 619-798-8477 |
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| The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
| Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
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| L Orangerie | Coronado CA | 619-571-3367 |
| California Center for the Arts | Escondido CA | 760-839-4107 |
| Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-721-3737 |
| Chocolate Bar | Carlsbad CA | 442-500-2007 |
| Cross Roots | San Diego CA | 858-245-1678 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| The Bower | Coronado CA | 619-606-8424 |
| The Corner Drafthouse | San Diego CA | 619-255-2631 |
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| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Michele Coulon Dessertier | San Diego CA | 858-456-5098 |
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| Fox Point Farms (Haven) | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| Marine Group Global Services LLC | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
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| DoubleTree By Hilton San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-881-6900 |
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| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Pokewan (Del Mar) | San Diego CA | 858-847-2881 |
| Fox Point Farms | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| Primal Balance Nutrition LLC | Vista CA | 818-259-0995 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Burgeon Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 760-814-2548 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
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| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Cocina de Barrio NP | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Peace Pies (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 619-618-6960 |
| Webbcreationfood LLC | San Diego CA | 619-829-9194 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Snooze - La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-483-5556 |
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| Sushi Ota 2021 | San Diego CA | 858-270-5047 |
| 619 Spirits | San Diego CA | 509-701-9534 |
| Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Boujiemana | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Parsley. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Little Broken |
|
Mini Chicken Meatloves |
| From A Chef's Kitchen |
|
Quinoa Tabbouleh with Grilled Vegetables |
| The Delicious Life |
|
Parsley Vinaigrette |
| Our Salty Kitchen |
|
Lebanese Beef Kofta Spiced Meatballs |
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