Whole Celery Seed

Pellicano's Whole Celery Seed

Pungent, Earthy, and Concentrated Flavor

Pellicano's Whole Celery Seed is a small but mighty spice, providing a powerful, concentrated flavor that is distinctly earthy, slightly bitter, and intensely aromatic. Sourced from a wild variety of the celery plant, the seed's flavor is far more pungent and sharper than the vegetable stalk itself.

The whole form of the seed is highly prized because it retains its volatile oils until released through cooking, toasting, or grinding. When used whole, the seeds provide texture and slowly infuse liquids over time, making them ideal for slow-cooked dishes. When lightly crushed before use, they release an immediate, powerful burst of flavor perfect for cold salads and rubs.

Essential for Pickling and Classic Salads

Celery seed is indispensable for its ability to cut through richness and add a savory, fresh-tasting complexity to certain iconic dishes:

• Pickling and Brining: A foundational ingredient in pickling spice mixes, especially for sweet pickles, relishes, and corn beef brines, where its flavor is slowly drawn out by the vinegar.
• Cold Salads: Essential for creating authentic flavors in coleslaw, potato salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad.
• Soups and Stews: Used in clam chowder, hearty vegetable stews, and chicken soup to provide a deep, savory background note.
• Savory Rubs: Blend into rubs for poultry and seafood, often used to replicate the flavors of Maryland crab seasoning.
• Bread and Doughs: Sprinkled over rolls, buns, or mixed into savory cracker doughs.

Fun Fact: An Ancient Medicinal Powerhouse

Celery seed is far more than a seasoning; it has been used as a medicinal remedy for millennia. Ancient Greek and Roman physicians highly valued the tiny seeds, prescribing them to treat various ailments, particularly those related to inflammation and pain. Due to the high concentration of essential oils in the seed, its flavor and properties are far more potent than the celery stalks we eat as a vegetable, acting as a concentrated flavor powerhouse in savory cooking.

Easy Recipe: Classic Coleslaw Vinaigrette (Makes Enough for 8 Cups of Shredded Cabbage)

This simple vinaigrette uses whole celery seed to provide the essential, authentic flavor needed for classic deli-style coleslaw.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 Tbsp. Pellicano's Whole Celery Seed
• 1 Tsp. Salt
• 1/2 Tsp. Black Pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine: In a small saucepan, combine the Apple Cider Vinegar, Vegetable Oil, Granulated Sugar, Whole Celery Seed, Salt, and Black Pepper.
2. Heat and Dissolve: Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the Granulated Sugar and Salt are completely dissolved. Do not boil.
3. Cool and Infuse: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the vinaigrette to cool completely to room temperature (about 30 minutes). Cooling allows the celery seeds to fully infuse the liquid.
4. Toss: Pour the cooled vinaigrette over shredded cabbage and carrots. Mix well and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to let the flavors meld.

Ingredients: Celery Seeds