'Iraqi Rashad' Garden Cress

Lepidium sativum Origin: Iraq Improvement status: Landrace Seeds per packet: ~225 Germination tested 08/2024: 95% Life cycle: Annual/Biennial Rashad is a hot and spicy, yet also sweet mustard-flavored green. The spicy seeds and seed oil can also be consumed. Known as "garden cress" or "peppergrass" in English, it is believed to have originated in the Middle East, but has become popular from India to Ireland. In the Netherlands, small trays of garden cress sprouts are commonly sold in supermarkets and used as spicy flavorful garnish on soups, salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. In Iraq, rashad is treated like many other herbs and served alongside parsley, green onion, cilantro, basil, etc., as a traditional side dish. This “khudthra” plate of herbs is served as a fresh accompaniment to the main meal, for snacking and adding to fresh bread wraps called "laffa." We got these seeds from our friends at Truelove Seeds, who are also fellow members of the Iraqi Seed Collective, a group of di