Jarjir (Palestinian Arugula)

Jarjir (جرجير) is the Arabic word for arugula, which grows wild throughout the countryside in Palestine, and is used fresh in salads or in bread rolls with cheese. This peppery leaf is one of the most common greens in Palestine, and particularly in Gaza and neighboring Egypt. This is a particularly spicy variety of arugula that is accustomed to little rainfall, but also thrives in our wetter climate.  Truelove Seeds received this particular variety from the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library in order to increase the amount and availability of this important Palestinian seed. This Jarjir comes from deep in the hills of the UNESCO World Heritage village of Battir at a place called Ein Abu-El-Harth ("the spring of the plowman") in the occupied West Bank. Hassan Muamer of the PHSL says this Jarjir is best when you don't give it much water because it becomes more spicy. Sometimes when the Jarjir is very thirsty, it can be like a hot chili. "In the old days, our grandparents and the elders in t