Celery is a common accompaniment to buffalo wings, those spicy deep-fried chicken wings doused in a hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot. It provides a cooling, crunchy contrast to the heat of the chicken wings. But why celery specifically? There are a few main reasons celery became the default vegetable paired with buffalo wings.
History of Buffalo Wings
The origins of buffalo wings can be traced back to 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. According to legend, one night the bar had chicken wings on hand but not much else. Owner Teressa Bellissimo deep fried the wings and tossed them in a spicy hot sauce made with butter and hot peppers. She served the impromptu dish to a group of hungry friends and “buffalo wings” were born.
Originally, the buffalo wings were served without any vegetables or accompaniment. But customers began asking for something to cool their mouths between bites of spicy wings. The kitchen realized they always had celery on hand for making Bloody Marys, so they started providing cut up celery sticks as a complement to the wings. And a pairing was born!
Why Celery Specifically?
There are a few key reasons why celery became the veggie paired with buffalo wings:
Crunchy Texture
Celery has a very crunchy, snappy texture that provides contrast to the juicy, fried wings. The crunch cleanses the palate and prepares you for the next spicy bite.
Moisture
Celery contains a lot of moisture and water. Eating it helps counteract the drying effect of the hot sauce on the wings. The moisture in the celery helps keep your mouth from feeling too parched.
Cooling Effect
The fibers and water content in celery give it a cooling effect in the mouth. The chill of the celery provides relief from the burning heat of the buffalo sauce.
Low Cost
Celery is an inexpensive vegetable, especially compared to other crunchy options like carrots or bell peppers. It’s affordable to provide in large quantities for dipping. The bars and restaurants serving wings can keep food costs down by pairing wings with celery over pricier veggies.
Always on Hand
Most bars and restaurants already keep celery stocked for making Bloody Mary cocktails. Since it’s already there in the kitchen, celery is an easy go-to vegetable for serving alongside wings. No extra shopping or prep needed.
Other Options for Buffalo Wing Pairings
While celery may be the default, there are plenty of other options for foods that complement buffalo wings well:
- Carrots – Also crunchy and cooling.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing – Provides creaminess and cuts the heat.
- Bleu cheese crumbles
- Celery root sticks
- Cucumber slices
- Bell pepper strips
- Radishes
- Jicama sticks
- Apples or apple slices
- Pineapple chunks
- Pickles
- Coleslaw or cabbage slaw
Experiment to find your perfect pairing with hot buffalo wings! The classic celery will always remain a time-tested choice.
Nutrition Info for Celery
Celery packs some nutritional value in addition to pairing well with buffalo wings, including:
- Low calorie – only about 6 calories per stalk
- Hydrating – 95% water
- Source of vitamin K
- Contains antioxidant polyphenols
- Provides dietary fiber – 1 gram per stalk
- Good source of minerals like potassium, folate, magnesium
Celery Facts
Beyond being a vegetable paired with wings, here are some more interesting facts about celery:
- Celery is actually 95% water.
- There are two main types of celery – self-blanching (green) and stalk celery (pale).
- It takes around 12-16 weeks to grow celery to maturity.
- California produces around 80% of the celery grown in the U.S.
- Celery has been cultivated since ancient times, with the earliest evidence from the Mediterranean.
- In addition to buffalo wings, celery is used in tuna or chicken salad, soups, stews, juices and bloody mary cocktails.
- Some people are allergic to celery. Reactions can range from mild to severe.
Celery Allergy
Some people are allergic to celery and can experience symptoms after eating it, from mild itching or rashes to severe anaphylaxis. Celery allergy facts:
- Occurs in up to 6% of food-allergic patients
- Can develop at any age, including in adulthood
- Usually caused by a reaction to celery proteins
- Symptoms may include itchy mouth, swelling of lips/tongue, rash, upset stomach, breathing difficulties
- Cross-reactivity is common with birch pollen or carrot allergies
- Treatment involves avoidance of celery and emergency epinephrine if exposed
Those with a known celery allergy should avoid buffalo wings served with fresh celery sticks, opting for other vegetables instead.
Celery Recipes
When you have leftover celery from serving with wings, don’t let it go to waste! Here are some recipe ideas:
Celery Salad
Ingredients:
- Chopped celery
- Raisins or dried cranberries
- Chopped apple or grapefruit sections
- Nuts like walnuts or pecans
- Greek yogurt dressing
Mix together chopped celery, dried fruit, apples/citrus and nuts. Toss with Greek yogurt thinned with a bit of milk or mayo. Top with salt, pepper and a sprinkling of celery seeds.
Cream of Celery Soup
Ingredients:
- Celery stalks, chopped
- Onion, chopped
- Olive oil
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Milk or cream
- Garlic, salt, pepper
Saute chopped celery and onion in olive oil. Add broth and simmer until celery is tender. Puree in a blender or food processor. Return to pot and stir in cream/milk. Season with garlic, salt and pepper. Garnish bowls with crispy fried celery leaves.
Ants on a Log
A fun snack using celery:
- Celery sticks
- Peanut butter or cream cheese
- Raisins
Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or cream cheese. Top with raisins so they look like “ants” crawling on a “log.” Great healthy snack for kids!
Conclusion
So in summary, celery became the classic pairing with buffalo wings thanks to its crunchy texture, cooling moisture, always-on-hand convenience and cheap cost. It nicely balances the spicy heat of the wings. Though other veggies can substitute, celery remains the standard accompaniment. Beyond wings, celery can be used in a variety of salads, soups and snacks. Just be mindful of potential celery allergy. When prepared properly and paired properly, celery completes the experience of zesty buffalo wings.