Mache Salad from Maraichers de Provence, France (Cornsalad)

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

Also known as cornsalad or lamb’s tongue, mache is at once one of the most delicate salad greens.

The mâche began as a wild but edible plant that grew between row crops, first found in nearly barren European fields in the spring before the root crops were planted. Also called “doucette,” fresh mâche from Maraichers de Provence is characterized by its round, spoon-shaped green leaves. It’s buttery and sweet on the palate, with a slight hazelnutty taste.

PREPARATION AND PAIRINGS

Mâche is best served raw, like in salads, as the leaves are very tender, and may not hold well when cooked. It’s a refreshing green, so an equally refreshing salad would be perfect. Try this watermelon, mâche, and pecan salad:

• Combine rice wine vinegar (or white wine vinegar), pepper, fresh lime juice, grated onion, salt, pepper, and olive oil to make a vinaigrette. Set aside.
• Spread pecans on a baking sheet, and bake in a preheated oven at 350F for 5-7 minutes, until lightly toasted. Let cool.
• Combine cubed watermelon and mâche in a bowl, and add the vinaigrette. Toss gently, making sure to coat evenly.
• Place on a serving platter and sprinkle with pecans and shaved parmesan.

LET DOWN YOUR HAIR

Mâche is one of the greens interchanged with Rapunzel, the tempting vegetable in the Grimm fairy tale of the same name. In the story, a woman, heavily pregnant with their first child, looked out a window and saw beautiful greens planted in rows in her neighbor’s home. She couldn’t get it out of her head, and her craving intensified. She asked her husband to fetch her some, and so he did. But the witch who owned the house and the greens caught him. To spare them, she struck a deal: their freedom for their first born. She took the baby when it was born, and named her Rapunzel, after the vegetable her parents sought.

Storage Instructions

Your fresh produce will be stored in a resealable plastic ziplock bag. You will notice that there is air inside and this maintains a sort of internal atmosphere to keep your fresh produce in good condition.