Celery Stalks for Rabbits

Celery stalks in practice for rabbits

This beautiful plant is one of our rabbits’ favorite dishes. And for good reason! With its long, crunchy fibers, juicy stalks, and flavorful leaves, our companions have made no mistake: it’s an ideal vegetable for them!

With a moderate calcium content (48.4 mg per 100g), it can be given regularly. However, beware of rabbits with dental problems: it will then be necessary to cut the stem into small sections, otherwise its long fibers cannot be cut by our friend, and thus cannot be digested, causing intestinal discomfort in the process.

See the detailed composition

Origin of celery stalks

There is evidence of its cultivation a millennium before our era, whether in China, Egypt or around the Mediterranean. It was then quite different from the celery stalk we know today, and looked more like a small herb.

Initially referred to as ache, derived from the Latin apia and meaning “which grows in water”, its definitive name of celery was adopted during the 17th century. Coming from the Lombard seleri, itself from the Latin selenon, this name referred to the influence of the moon (sele) on its growth. Moreover, this change in name, corresponds to the time when cultivars, that were closer to the celery stalk we know with developed, thick, fibrous, and fleshy stalks, were selected.

Are you familiar with the name apia? That’s because it’s still used to refer to the species’ family: the Apiaceae, among which are lovage, parsley and carrot. Do you understand better the attraction of our lagomorph friend for celery stalks? 😉

Preserving celery stalks

Once cut, unfortunately celery can only be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

However, there is a trick that can help you keep it for a few more days: immediately after purchase, cut the stalks back an inch or two and put them in a glass with a little water. Place it in your kitchen, in the light, to allow it to keep its beautiful color.

Unfortunately, it can’t be frozen raw, and when cooked, it is no longer interesting for rabbits. So it is better to buy small quantities regularly to avoid waste!

Recipe with celery stalks for humans

It is best eaten raw, cut into chunks and stripped of its long fibers with a vegetable peeler. Try it with homemade hummus or tzatzíki, it’s a delight!

Do you prefer it cooked? Here is a recipe with sweet Asian flavours you should try!

Sautéed celery with sesame seeds (servings : 2)

Ingredients: 4 to 8 celery stalks (depending on your appetite), sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 tablespoons honey (or sugar), 2 tablespoons soy sauce (tamari) and 1 tablespoon sake (optional).

Put the sesame seeds in a pan and heat dry and high for a few minutes. Remove from heat, and coarsely crush the seeds. Set aside.

Remove the thickest fibers from the celery with a vegetable peeler and cut it into 5 cm pieces.

Heat the sesame oil in a frying pan over high heat and fry the celery.

Add the soy sauce, honey (or sugar) and sake. Let cook until the liquid evaporates.

Serve sprinkled with the previously roasted and crushed sesame seeds.

And don’t forget, of course, to save a few nice raw stems for your long-eared friend!

Celery stalks seasonality

You’ll find it all year round on the stalls, but it is harvested from August to December for those grown in France and field-grown. It is therefore the period to favor for your consumption to ensure a short circuit, a fresh vegetable and lot of vitamins!

Translated from French by Margaux