Do you peel celery before eating?

You can peel celery to avoid the tough strings—but you don't have to. It's up to your personal preference.

tasteofhome.com - Do You Have to Peel Celery? - Taste of Home

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You can peel celery to avoid the tough strings—but you don't have to. It's up to your personal preference. When it comes to greens, celery might be underrated. I’m not sure if there’s a more classic after-school snack than celery stalks and peanut butter! You can use celery to add texture and flavor to homemade soup recipes. In the Midwest, celery is a go-to relish tray vegetable. Plus, popping a stalk or two as a garnish in your bloody Mary is a great way to eat your greens. Still, not everyone likes to eat celery raw, partially due to the stringy nature of the stalks. So, what’s the best way to peel celery? Here’s what you need to know.

Does Celery Need to Be Peeled?

You can peel celery if you’d like, but you don’t have to.

Let’s start with celery in its raw form: whole, fresh, and sitting on your counter after a trip to the grocery store. If you go in and cut or break off pieces, you may be left with some of the plant’s stringy attachments on the stalks. While these aren’t harmful to eat, they’re not necessarily pleasant, and can be tough to chew—especially for kids. For science’s sake, these stringy bits are called collenchyma cells, which are essentially water-filled tissue that stiffens to give celery its crunch. It’s safe to eat, but we understand if you want to get rid of the tough parts. So you don’t have to peel your celery stalks, but you definitely can if you want to. Be sure to keep the base of your celery to regrow celery from the scraps!

How to Peel Celery

We recommend the following two options when it comes to peeling your celery. Don’t worry—stripping a stalk of celery isn’t anywhere near as tedious as peeling other veggies (though we do have a handy potato-peeling trick).

Your first option is to use a knife. We recommend using a small, sharp paring knife in this case for easier handling. All you need to do is slice the visible string from the stalk’s base to top and remove it. Pretty simple, right?

You also have the option of using a vegetable peeler to rid your celery of any tough strings. This might take off more of the stalk than you’d like, but it’s a great option if you don’t feel comfortable wielding a knife. The Best Ways to Use Celery 1 / 33 1 / 33 Blend of the Bayou My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me when I first moved to Louisiana. It's been handed down in my husband's family for generations. It's quick to prepare, nutritious and beautiful. I've passed it on to my children, too. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me when I first moved to Louisiana. It's been handed down in my husband's family for generations. It's quick to prepare, nutritious and beautiful. I've passed it on to my children, too. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana Go to Recipe Celery Gratin This celery gratin was a dish our family came to love. My grandmother knew how to create a dish out of just a few simple ingredients. —David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington Go to Recipe This celery gratin was a dish our family came to love. My grandmother knew how to create a dish out of just a few simple ingredients. —David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington Shrimp and Sausage Pasta A creamy white sauce pairs well with the meat and slightly spicy seasonings of this pleasing shrimp and sausage pasta dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Go to Recipe A creamy white sauce pairs well with the meat and slightly spicy seasonings of this pleasing shrimp and sausage pasta dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Cream of Celery Soup This rich cream of celery soup recipe will warm up any family gathering or quiet evening at home. With just the right amount of onion flavor, it's creamy and crowd-pleasing. —Janet James, Bluff City, Tennessee Go to Recipe This rich cream of celery soup recipe will warm up any family gathering or quiet evening at home. With just the right amount of onion flavor, it's creamy and crowd-pleasing. —Janet James, Bluff City, Tennessee Taste of Home Cool & Crunchy Chicken Salad When the weather sizzles, get your chill on with a cool chicken salad. Mine uses grapes, pecans and celery for that signature crunch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine Go to Recipe When the weather sizzles, get your chill on with a cool chicken salad. Mine uses grapes, pecans and celery for that signature crunch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine Lentil White Bean Pilaf Vegetarians will be happy to see this hearty meatless grain pilaf on the holiday buffet table. I like to make this when I have extra cooked lentils, barley, quinoa and rice on hand. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia Go to Recipe Vegetarians will be happy to see this hearty meatless grain pilaf on the holiday buffet table. I like to make this when I have extra cooked lentils, barley, quinoa and rice on hand. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia Taste of Home Bacon Macaroni Salad This pleasing pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Filled with crispy bacon, chopped tomato, celery and green onion, the sensational salad is coated with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd-pleaser! —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana Go to Recipe This pleasing pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Filled with crispy bacon, chopped tomato, celery and green onion, the sensational salad is coated with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd-pleaser! —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana Shrimp-Stuffed Poblano Peppers I created this dish for my mother when she moved back to our hometown. Since she really enjoys shrimp and slightly spicy food, I decided to create a shrimp-stuffed poblanos to surprise her. She was delighted.—Tina Garcia-Ortiz, Tampa, Florida Go to Recipe I created this dish for my mother when she moved back to our hometown. Since she really enjoys shrimp and slightly spicy food, I decided to create a shrimp-stuffed poblanos to surprise her. She was delighted.—Tina Garcia-Ortiz, Tampa, Florida Shrimp Gumbo A crisp green salad and crusty French bread complete this shrimp gumbo meal. I always have hot sauce available when I serve this and have found that the instant microwave rice packages make the process a little easier. —Jo Ann Graham, Ovilla, Texas Go to Recipe A crisp green salad and crusty French bread complete this shrimp gumbo meal. I always have hot sauce available when I serve this and have found that the instant microwave rice packages make the process a little easier. —Jo Ann Graham, Ovilla, Texas Grilled Summer Sausage Salad I love grilling vegetables, especially those straight from the garden. The summer sausage is a fun twist, and the veggies really get to shine in this main dish salad. Fresh garden herbs also taste great mixed into this salad. To amp up the flavor even more, try grilling romaine lettuce instead of using a salad mix. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota Go to Recipe I love grilling vegetables, especially those straight from the garden. The summer sausage is a fun twist, and the veggies really get to shine in this main dish salad. Fresh garden herbs also taste great mixed into this salad. To amp up the flavor even more, try grilling romaine lettuce instead of using a salad mix. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota Pressure-Cooker Bloody Mary Pot Roast When I picked up a bottle of Bloody Mary mix, the clerk said she sometimes uses it to marinate a roast. I gave that a try and then decided to add more of the flavors that others love in a Bloody Mary, like pepperoncini and celery. —Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois Go to Recipe When I picked up a bottle of Bloody Mary mix, the clerk said she sometimes uses it to marinate a roast. I gave that a try and then decided to add more of the flavors that others love in a Bloody Mary, like pepperoncini and celery. —Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois Stone Soup After reading the Stone Soup story, we enjoyed concocting this version of the folktale classic. It’s chock-full of veggies and lots more ingredients…enough for everyone to bring something to add to the fun and flavor! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Go to Recipe After reading thestory, we enjoyed concocting this version of the folktale classic. It’s chock-full of veggies and lots more ingredients…enough for everyone to bring something to add to the fun and flavor! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Ragin' Cajun Eggplant and Shrimp Skillet We always have a large summer garden where lots of produce lingers into fall. That’s when we harvest our onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and eggplant—some key ingredients of this dish. This recipe turns Cajun with the holy trinity (onion, celery and bell pepper), shrimp and red pepper flakes. —Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri Go to Recipe We always have a large summer garden where lots of produce lingers into fall. That’s when we harvest our onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and eggplant—some key ingredients of this dish. This recipe turns Cajun with the holy trinity (onion, celery and bell pepper), shrimp and red pepper flakes. —Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri Chunky Beef Vegetable Soup For a satisfying lunch or dinner, serve bowls of this thick soup with fresh-baked bread. Brimming with chunks of veggies, it's easy to stir together on a chilly day. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario Go to Recipe For a satisfying lunch or dinner, serve bowls of this thick soup with fresh-baked bread. Brimming with chunks of veggies, it's easy to stir together on a chilly day. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario Taste of Home Pecan-Cornbread Dressing Plenty of pecans and bacon give this stuffing a unique flavor, while using a packaged mix cuts down on the preparation time. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Go to Recipe Plenty of pecans and bacon give this stuffing a unique flavor, while using a packaged mix cuts down on the preparation time. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Veg Jambalaya This flavorful entree uses convenient canned beans in place of the meat—and never lets you leave hungry. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado Go to Recipe This flavorful entree uses convenient canned beans in place of the meat—and never lets you leave hungry. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado Hearty Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup This satisfying soup with a hint of cayenne is brimming with vegetables, chicken and noodles. The recipe is from my father-in-law, but I tweaked it to make it my own. —Norma Reynolds, Overland Park, Kansas Go to Recipe This satisfying soup with a hint of cayenne is brimming with vegetables, chicken and noodles. The recipe is from my father-in-law, but I tweaked it to make it my own. —Norma Reynolds, Overland Park, Kansas Taste of Home Corn Stuffing Balls My mom had many "winning" recipes, and this was one of our family's favorites. I can still picture these Corn Stuffing Balls encircling the large meat platter piled high with one of her delicious entrees. —Audrey Groe, Lake Mills, Iowa Go to Recipe My mom had many "winning" recipes, and this was one of our family's favorites. I can still picture these Corn Stuffing Balls encircling the large meat platter piled high with one of her delicious entrees. —Audrey Groe, Lake Mills, Iowa Taste of Home Turkey Almond Salad Our congregation was holding a luncheon at which I was helping, and we were supposed to use turkey left over from the church's Thanksgiving supper. Everyone liked this so much that—at another church luncheon—we cooked a turkey for the specific purpose of making my salad. —Donna Rear, Olds, Alberta Go to Recipe Our congregation was holding a luncheon at which I was helping, and we were supposed to use turkey left over from the church's Thanksgiving supper. Everyone liked this so much that—at another church luncheon—we cooked a turkey for the specific purpose of making my salad. —Donna Rear, Olds, Alberta Taste of Home Special Scalloped Corn Carrots and green pepper make this dish colorful, which grabs attention at a potluck. The corn casserole is also a smart idea for when you need to prepare a dish ahead of time—easy baking is all it takes to finish it up. —J. Brown, Fort Dodge, Iowa Go to Recipe Carrots and green pepper make this dish colorful, which grabs attention at a potluck. The corn casserole is also a smart idea for when you need to prepare a dish ahead of time—easy baking is all it takes to finish it up. —J. Brown, Fort Dodge, Iowa Jamaican-Style Beef Stew This delicious stew makes a hearty supper with a lighter touch. The leaner cut of meat, herbs and seasonings and fresh vegetables make it so flavorful, you'll want another bowl! —James Hayes, Ridgecrest, California Go to Recipe This delicious stew makes a hearty supper with a lighter touch. The leaner cut of meat, herbs and seasonings and fresh vegetables make it so flavorful, you'll want another bowl! —James Hayes, Ridgecrest, California Contest-Winning Easy Minestrone This minestrone soup recipe is special to me because it’s one of the few dinners my entire family loves. And I can feel good about serving it because it’s full of nutrition and low in fat. —Lauren Brennan, Hood River, Oregon Go to Recipe This minestrone soup recipe is special to me because it’s one of the few dinners my entire family loves. And I can feel good about serving it because it’s full of nutrition and low in fat. —Lauren Brennan, Hood River, Oregon Moist Poultry Dressing Tasty mushrooms and onions complement the big herb flavor in this amazing stuffing. This dressing stays so moist because it’s made in the slow cooker. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta Go to Recipe Tasty mushrooms and onions complement the big herb flavor in this amazing stuffing. This dressing stays so moist because it’s made in the slow cooker. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta Cornish Hens with Wild Rice and Celery Stuffed with a succulent combination of wild rice, mushrooms and dried cranberries, these golden hens are sure to become a special-occasion entree in your home. They're a wonderful change of pace from traditional turkey. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario Go to Recipe Stuffed with a succulent combination of wild rice, mushrooms and dried cranberries, these golden hens are sure to become a special-occasion entree in your home. They're a wonderful change of pace from traditional turkey. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario Taste of Home Acorn Squash with Cranberry Stuffing If you have squash or cranberry lovers at the table, here’s your new go-to recipe. It’s colorful, the blend of flavors is delicious and it’s a fitting addition to a Thanksgiving menu. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas Go to Recipe If you have squash or cranberry lovers at the table, here’s your new go-to recipe. It’s colorful, the blend of flavors is delicious and it’s a fitting addition to a Thanksgiving menu. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas Turkey Spaghetti Casserole My mom made this creamy and comforting dish while I was growing up. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey, I look forward to making this simple yet tasty meal. —Casandra Hetrick, Lindsey, Ohio Go to Recipe My mom made this creamy and comforting dish while I was growing up. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey, I look forward to making this simple yet tasty meal. —Casandra Hetrick, Lindsey, Ohio Almond-Apricot Chicken Salad Here's a one-of-a-kind pasta salad that combines tender chicken, sweet apricots and crunchy vegetables. Plus, the lemony dressing can't be beat. —Susan Voigt, Plymouth, Minnesota Go to Recipe Here's a one-of-a-kind pasta salad that combines tender chicken, sweet apricots and crunchy vegetables. Plus, the lemony dressing can't be beat. —Susan Voigt, Plymouth, Minnesota Amish Chicken Corn Soup Creamed corn and butter make my chicken corn soup homey and rich. This recipe makes a big batch, but the soup freezes well for future meals—one reason why soups are my favorite thing to make. —Beverly Hoffman, Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania Go to Recipe Creamed corn and butter make my chicken corn soup homey and rich. This recipe makes a big batch, but the soup freezes well for future meals—one reason why soups are my favorite thing to make. —Beverly Hoffman, Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania Taste of Home Favorite Hamburger Stew I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a way to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it's easy to warm up for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota Go to Recipe I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a way to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it's easy to warm up for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota Taste of Home Sunflower Strawberry Salad We have an annual strawberry festival in our town, so recipes with strawberries are popular here. I have served this salad at luncheons and have always received compliments. —Betty Malone, Humboldt, Tennessee Go to Recipe We have an annual strawberry festival in our town, so recipes with strawberries are popular here. I have served this salad at luncheons and have always received compliments. —Betty Malone, Humboldt, Tennessee Corn Dog Casserole Reminiscent of traditional corn dogs, this fun main dish really hits the spot on fall days. It's perfect for the football parties my husband and I often host. It tastes especially good right from the oven. -Marcy Suzanne Olipane, Belleville, Illinois Go to Recipe Reminiscent of traditional corn dogs, this fun main dish really hits the spot on fall days. It's perfect for the football parties my husband and I often host. It tastes especially good right from the oven. -Marcy Suzanne Olipane, Belleville, Illinois Taste of Home Carrot Chowder My husband's grandmother passed this recipe on to us, and it's just wonderful—especially with a basket of warm, fresh bread on the side. This soup freezes well. —Wendy Wilkins, Prattville, Alabama Go to Recipe My husband's grandmother passed this recipe on to us, and it's just wonderful—especially with a basket of warm, fresh bread on the side. This soup freezes well. —Wendy Wilkins, Prattville, Alabama Broccoli Salad Supreme People can't get enough of the sweet grapes and crunchy broccoli in this colorful salad. I appreciate its make-ahead convenience. —Terri Twyman, Bonanza, Oregon Go to Recipe People can't get enough of the sweet grapes and crunchy broccoli in this colorful salad. I appreciate its make-ahead convenience. —Terri Twyman, Bonanza, Oregon

tasteofhome.com - Do You Have to Peel Celery? - Taste of Home

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