No matter what the time of year, few things in the produce aisle consistently look as perky as parsley. Flat-leaf or curly, the vibrant herb appears to want to jump into each passing shopping cart.

Flat leaf parsley, also called Italian parsley, has a stronger flavor and is used more frequently as an ingredient in salads and cooked dishes. You can also find dried parsley in stores.

Parsely: "From stem to leaf, parsley is a thicker and sturdier herb than cilantro," says Celine Beitchman, chef and director of nutrition at the Institute of Culinary Education.

Parsley comes in three main varieties: flat leaf, curly leaf and parsley root. Flat leaf or Italian parsley can grow up to 3 feet tall, and has leaves that look like celery or cilantro and are ...

There are a number of different parsley cultivars that all grow well here, but they can basically be divided into two forms — curly parsley and Italian or flat-leaf parsley.

Although the curly leaf parsley varieties are more decorative, the Italian flat-leaf varieties are more flavorful. Other herbs that thrive in the winter garden include chives, chervil, cilantro ...

Flat-leaf parsley has a stronger flavor and is generally recommended for culinary purposes. Parsley can freshen up any recipe and grows well during the cool season. Plant yours now.

Hands down, flat-leaf parsley is the better choice for cooking. Also called Italian parsley, flat-leaf parsley is robust and flavorful, with peppery, herbaceous notes.