What can I do with leftover celery leaves?

QUESTION: What can I do with leftover celery leaves? Do I have to compost them or are they edible? -Tiffany R.

ANSWER: Celery leaves are entirely edible and actually contain more calcium, potassium, and vitamin C than the rest of the plant. Celery leaves have the same flavor as celery, albeit just a bit stronger. The darker green a leaf is colored and the closer to the outside of the bunch it grows, the stronger its flavor will be. The paler green leaves inside the celery bunch will be lighter in flavor and have a thinner texture. The celery leaves work either as an herb or a leaf vegetable, depending on how many you have.

You can store celery leaves in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator for a few days sealed into an airtight plastic container with a damp paper towel. You can also puree the leaves and mix in a little water or oil, then pour the liquid into ice cube trays and freeze. The cubes of celery leaf puree are perfect for adding to soups, stews, and sauces. Another way to preserve the leaves is to wash and dry them, then allow them to air-dry on a rack or clean plate for five days. Crumble the resulting dried leaves into a mason jar or airtight storage container.

You can sprinkle a few celery leaves into a salad, top a sandwich with them, or save the leaves until you have enough to spotlight them in a dish. Celery leaves are excellent as a garnish for deviled eggs or a Bloody Mary. Use them in any recipe as a substitute for parsley or chives. There are recipes especially for celery leaves listed below to give you an idea of the ways celery leaves can be prepared.

• Celery and Celery Leaf Salad with Apples, Walnuts, and Ranch from Hidden Valley

• Celery, Celery Leaf, and Walnut Salad from Kristen Coffield

• Celery Leaf, Caper, and Olive Relish from The Telegraph

• Celery Leaf, Parsley, and Pistachio Pesto from The Washington Post

• Celery Leaf Pesto from The Flavor Fiend

• Celery Leaf Salad with Walnut Dressing from The Guardian

• Celery Leaves “Tsukudani” (Celery Leaves Boiled in Soy Sauce) 

• Celery Root, Celery Heart, and Celery Leaf Salad from Fine Cooking

• Celery Salt and Celery Powder from Oh the Things We’ll Make!

• Cream of Celery Leaf and Scallion Soup from From a Chef’s Kitchen

• Marinated Celery, Celery Leaf, and Chickpea Salad from Weight Watchers

• Peanut Noodles with Crunchy Celery and Celery Leaves from Vegetarian Times

• Pickled Celery Leaves from Meredith Leigh

• Quick Vinegar-Braised Chicken with Garlic and Celery Leaves form Food and WIne

• Sea Island Red Peas with Celery Leaf Salad from Bon Appetit

• Seasoned Celery Leaves from Cookpad Japan

• Shaved Celery and Celery Leaf Salad from Shape

• Tempura Celery Leaves from Woolworths Taste