Crispy, crunchy, wonderful celery is commonly available year-round in grocery stores, but it really rocks out in mid-late summer. Get it fresh, and it's a snack in its own right: juicy and sweet, and good for way more than mirepoix.
HOW TO BUY
Celery grows above-ground in bunches, making for clean, efficiently-packaged veggies. Its stalks will vary from thick and wide with big ribs, to thin and narrow—both are fine choices, and not an indication of quality. You'll want to look to the leaves for that; limp and floppy leaves mean celery that has not been stored properly.
HOW TO STORE
Keep the bunches in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Feel free to separate out the stalks, but don't chop or slice them until just before using.
Yes, yes we do have a collection of recipes starring celery.