Celery Hearts

Celery hearts offer the most tender, flavorful part of the celery plant, making them a versatile essential for home cooks and professional chefs alike. These pale green, crisp stalks come from the inner portion of the celery bunch, featuring a milder taste and more delicate texture than outer stalks. With their fresh, clean flavor and satisfying crunch, celery hearts serve as a foundational ingredient in cuisines worldwide, from classic French mirepoix to American comfort foods like chicken salad and tuna salad. The tender nature of celery hearts makes them ideal for both raw and cooked applications. They shine in fresh preparations like crudité platters, chopped into Waldorf salads, or stuffed with cream cheese or peanut butter for a quick snack. When cooking, celery hearts provide excellent flavor base for soups, stews, and stocks, particularly in traditional dishes like chicken noodle soup or beef stew. Their mild flavor won't overpower delicate dishes, making them perfect for seafood preparations and light vegetable medleys. For best results, store celery hearts in the refrigerator crisper drawer and use within a week for optimal freshness. When preparing, simply trim the base and rinse under cold water before chopping or serving whole. Celery hearts pair beautifully with carrots and onions in cooking, complement rich proteins like chicken and beef, and add wonderful texture to grain salads and pasta dishes. Their natural saltiness means you may need less seasoning in your recipes.